Lorraine Williamson
Donald Trump has raised the possibility of withdrawing US troops from Spain and Italy, escalating a growing dispute over Europe’s response to the war in Iran.
The US president said he would “probably” consider reducing America’s military presence in both countries, after criticising Spain and Italy for not supporting Washington’s position over Iran. His comments follow similar warnings over US troops in Germany, adding fresh pressure to relations between Washington and several NATO allies.
Spain drawn into wider NATO tension
The remarks place Spain directly in the middle of a wider transatlantic row over defence, Iran and the future of US military deployments in Europe.
Spain hosts important American military facilities, including Rota naval base in Cádiz and Morón air base near Sevilla. Both are considered strategically significant for the US, NATO and Mediterranean operations.
Trump’s comments came after Spain opposed the US-Israeli war against Iran and resisted being drawn into military support for the operation. Reuters reported that Spain had refused the use of its bases for Iran-related missions, while Trump accused Spain and Italy of being unhelpful.
Robles says Spain does not accept lectures
Spain’s Defence Minister, Margarita Robles, responded firmly on Friday, insisting that Spain remains committed to NATO and international missions.
Robles said she was “absolutely calm” about the threat and argued that Spain does not accept lessons from others over its commitment to the Atlantic alliance. She also defended Spain’s position on Iran, saying Madrid supports peace, international law and legally backed operations.
Her response reflects the Spanish government’s wider position: support for NATO, but not automatic support for every US-led military action.
Why Rota and Morón matter
Any suggestion of removing US forces from Spain would carry symbolic and strategic weight.
Rota, in the province of Cádiz, is one of the most important joint-use bases in southern Europe. It supports naval operations in the Mediterranean, the Atlantic and beyond. Morón, in Andalucia, has also been used for rapid-response and air operations linked to Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
For Spain, the bases are also politically sensitive. They sit at the intersection of defence cooperation, sovereignty, jobs, diplomacy and public opinion.
For Washington, they offer access to a region that connects Europe, North Africa, the Atlantic and the eastern Mediterranean.
A threat or a negotiating tactic?
It is not yet clear whether Trump’s remarks will lead to a formal review, a real troop reduction, or remain a political warning.
The US president has used military deployments as leverage in disputes with allies before. He has also repeatedly criticised European NATO members over defence spending and support for American strategic priorities.
However, any major reduction in US troops from Spain would not be a simple political gesture. It would involve defence agreements, operational planning, congressional scrutiny and NATO calculations.
Reuters noted that Trump has also mentioned the possibility of withdrawing the US from NATO, although US law limits a president’s ability to do that without congressional approval.
Spain’s position on Iran
Spain has been openly critical of the war in Iran and has framed its position around international law.
Madrid has argued that military action must have proper legal backing. That stance has placed it at odds with Washington, especially as the US has sought stronger support from European allies.
Trump’s latest remarks suggest that disagreement is now moving beyond words and into the sensitive area of military presence.
What could happen next?
For now, there is no confirmed withdrawal of US troops from Spain.
The immediate issue is diplomatic pressure. Washington is signalling frustration. Madrid is standing by its position. NATO allies are watching how far the dispute may go.
If the comments develop into a formal policy review, Spain’s bases at Rota and Morón could become the focus of a much larger defence debate.
For Spain, the challenge will be to defend its foreign policy position while maintaining a relationship with one of its most important military partners.
For Europe, the row is another reminder that NATO unity is being tested not only by external threats, but by political disagreements within the alliance itself.