Mike Baker

Spain has been openly critical of Israeli military actions since the start of the war, and on Thursday accused Jerusalem of, quote, "...flouting the ceasefire and violating international law with its strikes in Lebanon."

Israeli officials quickly hit back at Spain's decision to reopen its embassy, with the foreign minister saying Spain was now moving, quote, I should also note that Spain, currently led by a leftist government, declined to allow U.S.

forces to use its bases in support of operations tied to the war.

That's a position that puts it starkly at odds with the U.S.

strategy of maintaining military pressure on Iran while working to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

While perhaps the most vocal in their public criticism, Spain is far from alone.

France and the UK have also shown reluctance to allow their regional infrastructure to be used for strikes on Iran, another indication that not all NATO allies are aligned on how this conflict should be handled.

As a result, tensions between Washington and its NATO partners have been rapidly rising.

President Trump has openly criticized allies for not doing more to support U.S.

operations, particularly efforts tied to reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

And according to reporting cited by the New York Post, the administration has even discussed potential consequences for countries that declined to assist, such as pulling U.S.

troops out of NATO countries that hampered or failed to help in Operation Epic Fury.

On Wednesday, White House Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt also noted that the president has discussed the possibility of the U.S.

reconsidering its membership in NATO, though no formal policy changes have been announced.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte met with President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday, during which Spain reportedly came up as a source of tension.

Rutte described the meeting as, quote, frank and open, while acknowledging that Trump had voiced disappointment with the alliance.

Rutte emphasized unity following the sit-down, saying the discussion focused on maintaining a, quote, stronger, fairer alliance, despite differences over the Iran conflict.

But the meeting appeared to do little to allay Trump's concerns.

Later on Wednesday evening, the president took to Truth Social, saying, quote, and this is all caps, so you know he's serious, NATO wasn't there when we needed them, and they won't be there if we need them again.

Now, as an aside, there is a practical upside to Spain or other Western nations reopening or maintaining embassy facilities in Tehran.