Trump says he will 'probably' withdraw US troops from Italy and Spain over Iran war stance

U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday he would "probably" withdraw American troops from Italy and Spain, accusing both NATO allies of failing to support the U.S.-led war on Iran.

"Look, why shouldn't I? Italy has not been of any help to us and Spain has been horrible, absolutely horrible," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.

The threat follows a similar warning a day earlier to reduce U.S. troops in Germany after Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the U.S. was being "humiliated" by Iran. Trump's latest remarks drew a rebuke from Italy's defence minister, Guido Crosetto, who said he did "not understand" Trump's motives for the threat.

Crosetto rejected accusations that Rome had not helped the U.S., especially regarding maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz. "As is clear to everyone, this never happened," Crosetto told Ansa. "We have also made ourselves available for a mission to protect shipping. This was greatly appreciated by the American military."

As of December 2025, the U.S. had 12,662 active-duty troops in Italy and 3,814 in Spain, according to the Defense Manpower Data Center. Germany hosts 36,436 active-duty U.S. troops as of December 2025.

Spain has denied the U.S. permission to use jointly operated military bases for attacks on Iran. Italy refused to allow U.S. military aircraft bound for the Middle East to transit Sigonella in late March because the U.S. had sought authorisation to land only when the aircraft were already en route to Sicily.

There was no immediate official response from Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez or Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

The 2026 National Defense Authorization Act bars U.S. troop levels in Europe from being permanently reduced below 75,000. Republican Representative Don Bacon posted: "The continued attacks on Nato allies … hurt Americans. The two big airfields in Germany give us great access in three continents. We are shooting ourselves in our own feet."

The U.S.-Israeli war on Iran began on 28 February. Brent crude closed at around $114 a barrel on Friday, up from pre-war prices of about $70. The Pentagon said the Iran war has cost $25 billion so far, though U.S. officials told CBS News the figure is closer to $50 billion.