US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said the White House is “very upset” with NATO members for “going into hiding” during the Iran war, as he headed to a meeting of the military alliance in Sweden.
Rubio spoke to UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, stressing the need for Europe to provide more of its own security and increase defence investment. Tensions have risen over the UK’s refusal to grant full use of its bases for US attacks on Iran, with permission limited to defensive strikes.
President Donald Trump has accused Sir Keir Starmer of weakness and derided the Royal Navy. Reports suggest Washington could review its position on the Falkland Islands as punishment for the UK’s stance.
Rubio also condemned Tehran’s plan to impose tolls on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, calling it “completely illegal”. He and President Trump insist the waterway must remain open and free, with Trump stating: “We want it open, we want it free. We don’t want tolls. It’s an international waterway.”
Rubio added that many NATO members agree Iran is a threat but refuse to act, questioning the benefit of US membership. “I think the president looks at that and says… everyone goes into hiding. Yeah, I think we were very upset about that,” he said.
