European nations are increasingly exploring alternative security arrangements amid mounting pressure and uncertain commitments from the United States toward NATO, Spain’s Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares has warned.
Speaking on Tuesday, Albares said recent remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump—including complaints about NATO allies and suggestions of a possible withdrawal—are pushing Europe to rethink its long-standing reliance on transatlantic security guarantees.
The comments come against the backdrop of escalating geopolitical tensions following the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran, which began on February 28. European countries notably declined to deploy naval forces to secure shipping routes in the Strait of Hormuz, a decision that reportedly frustrated Washington and deepened divisions within the alliance.
“NATO remains a mutually beneficial alliance,” Albares said, recalling Europe’s solidarity with the U.S. after the September 11 attacks. “But the current U.S. administration’s stance is encouraging Europe to take greater responsibility for its own defense and sovereignty.”
He emphasized that the European Union must accelerate efforts toward building a unified defense framework, including the long-discussed concept of a pan-European army. Albares also highlighted the need for deeper integration of Europe’s defense industries, alongside broader economic reforms such as a digital single market and capital markets union.
Spain has emerged as one of the most vocal critics of the ongoing Iran conflict, describing it as “illegal and reckless.” In a strong signal of dissent, Madrid has closed its airspace to U.S. military aircraft involved in operations against Iran and barred their use of joint military bases in southern Spain.
In response, Trump has threatened retaliatory trade measures against Spain, further straining relations between Washington and key European allies.
The latest developments underscore a growing strategic rift within NATO, raising questions about the future cohesion of the alliance and the potential emergence of a more autonomous European security architecture.
