US Threatens NATO Funding Over Iran Base Access Dispute

Brussels, Thursday, 18 June 2026.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has launched a six-month review of American forces in Europe, threatening to withhold NATO funding unless allies grant base access for potential Iran operations. The move, dubbed ‘NATO 3.0,’ marks a dramatic shift in US strategy, with Hegseth calling Europe’s refusal ‘shameful’ and accusing allies of prioritizing climate and gender policies over military readiness. European defense spending surged 20% in 2025, but tensions escalate as the US signals reduced support in crises.