WSJ: Washington Seeks Ways to Punish NATO Countries That Didn’t Support War Against Iran

Washington is considering a plan to penalize certain NATO countries that, according to President Donald Trump, failed to support the United States and Israel during the war with Iran.

According to The Wall Street Journal, citing administration sources, one proposal includes potentially withdrawing U.S. troops from European countries that Washington views as not providing sufficient assistance in the conflict with Iran.

These forces are proposed to be redeployed to countries that provided active support to U.S. forces.

Such an option is far less drastic than Trump’s recent threats to fully withdraw the United States from the North Atlantic Alliance.

The publication notes that the plan has received support among senior administration officials. It is currently in the early stages of development and is one of several proposals being considered to penalize allies.

In addition to redeploying military contingents, discussions also include closing a U.S. base in at least one European country, possibly in Spain or Germany.

Meanwhile, the United States could increase its military presence in Poland, Romania, Lithuania, and Greece.

Officials say the White House views these countries as reliable allies because they supported U.S. military operations against Iran.

At present, around 84,000 U.S. troops are stationed at bases across Europe.

In March, Donald Trump stated that NATO could face a “very bad future” if its allies do not support Washington in ensuring security in the Strait of Hormuz amid the war with Iran.

He emphasized that countries in Europe and Asia rely much more heavily on oil from the Persian Gulf than the United States does, and therefore should take a more active role in safeguarding maritime security.