Trump says those who propose withdrawing bases in Spain and Germany for not helping to reopen Hormuz “are right”

The president of the United States, Donald Trump, pointed out this Friday that “the legislators are right” who believe that Washington should withdraw from bases in Spain, Germany and other NATO countries who, according to him, are not collaborating in the security of the Strait of Hormuz.

The Republican made these statements to the press shortly after the United Kingdom authorized the use of British military bases to attack Iranian forces that threaten ships in the Strait of Hormuz.

“I think NATO has declined a lot. They should be helping with the Strait. They get a lot of their energy from the Strait of Hormuz and a lot of senators and congressmen are very upset that NATO hasn’t done anything,” Trump reproached.

Hours before, the president of the United States He described NATO member countries as “cowards” for not collaborating to open the Strait of Hormuz in the midst of the American war in Iran.

“They don’t want to help open the Strait of Hormuz; a simple military maneuver that is the only reason for these high oil prices. Something so easy for them to do, and with so little risk. Cowards, and we will remember it!”the president wrote this Friday on his Truth Social network.

Trump considered that the countries of the Atlantic Alliance “did not want to join the fight to stop a nuclear-capable Iran. Now that that battle has been won militarily, with very little danger to them, they complain about the high oil prices that they are forced to pay”, he added.

“Without the United States, NATO is a paper tiger!” he assured.

This week, the American criticized NATO allies and Australia, Japan and South Korea after they rejected his request to create a military coalition to ensure navigation on the route through which around 20% of the global maritime trade in hydrocarbons passes, by responding that this is not a war that they started.

Trump stated that the nations of the Atlantic Alliance informed him that they “do not wish to get involved” in the war launched by the US alongside Israel, “despite the fact that almost all countries firmly agree with our actions and that they believe that Iran cannot be allowed to possess nuclear weapons.”

During a meeting with the Irish Prime Minister, Michael Martinassured on Tuesday that NATO is making “a very stupid mistake” by not responding to his call and questioned the bloc’s loyalty to Washington.

In a series of posts on Truth Social, Trump called “the most powerful country in the world” He does not need “anyone’s help,” because the US has managed to “decimate the Iranian Army.”

Tension with Sánchez

The tension between Pedro Sánchez and Donald Trump over the use of Rota and Morón bases It has become one of the main focuses of the diplomatic clash between Madrid and Washington in the middle of the war against Iran.

Sánchez has vetoed these facilities from serving as a platform for offensive operations in the offensive Epic Fury clinging to the defense agreement that requires prior Spanish authorization and the framework of international legality, while Trump demands total freedom of use as if it were his own territory of the United States.

Sánchez’s refusal to allow the United States to use Spanish bases rekindled Trump’s anger, who had already clashed with the head of the Spanish Government when he demanded that his allies raise the military spending up to 5% of GDP and was found with a frontal “no”.

The Republican reacted by accusing Spain of being a “terrible partner” who benefits from the American protection but refuses to bear costs when you need your help.

Some influential voices in Washington have even gone so far as to propose the closure or withdrawal of the Rota and Morón bases, weigh your enormous strategic value for the US navy and aviation in the Mediterranean and NATO’s southern flank.

The Sánchez Government, for its part, has tried to present his veto as a principled position, based on international law and in the commitment to diplomacy, while underlining the economic and social weight of the bases in Andalusia to pressure Trump.

Two key bases for the US

The US bases of Rota and Morón constitute two key pieces in the Western strategic defense architecture.

Although both facilities are under Spanish sovereignty, Its use by the United States is authorized within the framework of NATO and bilateral agreementswhich makes them fundamental platforms for international operations.

Its location, between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, allows for rapid crisis response in North Africa, Middle East or in maritime routes of high geopolitical value.

Up to six destroyers equipped with the Aegis system, integrated into the NATO missile shield and capable of intercepting ballistic threats.

It is also a first-level logistics node, facilitating the transit of large-capacity ships and aircraft, such as the C-17 or C-5, as well as resupply and deployment operations to scenarios such as the Persian Gulf or Lebanon.

Germanyfor its part, houses the Ramstein air basethe largest US military installation outside its territory and a key point of NATO air power in Europe.

A good part of the command and control of allied air operations is articulated from this strategic enclave, housing the USAFE-AFAFRICA headquarters, responsible for coordinating the activities of the US air forces in Europe and Africa.

Ramstein also plays a central role as a first-class logistics platform. Transport aircraft that are essential for the transfer of troops, material and supplies in crisis scenarios operate from its runways.

If the US abandoned the bases in Spain (Rota and Morón) and Germany (Ramstein and others), it would have limited alternatives but viable in Eastern Europe, the United Kingdom and maritime bases, although with higher logistical costs and loss of immediate strategic projection

In Eastern Europe and the eastern NATO countries, it has bases in Poland (Powidz, Łask), Romania (Mihail Kogălniceanu, Deveselu for anti-missiles) and Bulgaria (Aitos, Novo Selo) that could absorb air and logistical operations, already reinforced against Russia.