Trump threatens to withdraw troops from Italy and Spain
Summary
President Donald Trump threatened to withdraw US troops from Italy and Spain after criticizing both countries for not supporting US military efforts related to Iran. Italy and Spain have pushed back against the threats, denying any failure to assist the US and highlighting legal limits on US military use of their bases.Key Facts
- President Trump threatened to pull US troops from Italy and Spain, following earlier threats to reduce troops in Germany.
- Trump criticized Italy and Spain for not helping the US, especially in maritime security around the Strait of Hormuz.
- Italy refused US military planes carrying weapons bound for Iran from using a Sicilian airbase in late March.
- Italy’s defense minister denied accusations of not helping the US and said European ships crossed the Strait of Hormuz, not Italian ones.
- Spain has denied US permission to use its bases for attacks on Iran and criticized US military actions.
- About 13,000 US military personnel are based in Italy across seven naval bases; Spain hosts over 3,800 US personnel mainly at Rota naval station and Morón airbase.
- The US bases in Spain are under Spanish control but receive significant US funding and support key US military operations in Europe and Africa.
- Tensions between the US and Italy increased after Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni criticized Trump’s comments about the Pope's stance on the Iran war.
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