Trump mulls US troop cuts in Italy and Spain over Iran war row

US President Donald Trump said he was considering pulling his country’s troops out of NATO allies Spain and Italy due to their opposition to the Iran war, which just entered its third month.

The remarks came just a day after the US president proposed a similar reduction of US military presence in Germany after Chancellor Friedrich Merz criticised the Trump administration over its war strategy, suggesting it was ill-conceived and adding that Tehran was humiliating Washington.

“Yeah, probably, I probably will. Why shouldn't I?” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office when asked about Spain and Italy.

“Italy has not been of any help to us and Spain has been horrible, absolutely horrible.”

The US president added that the US-led war in Iran helps the entire world, including Spain, Italy and Germany, and criticised what he called “so-called allies” for not participating in their efforts to “eliminate the Iranian nuclear threat”.

As of December 2025, there were 36,436 active-duty US troops in Germany, 12,662 in Italy and 3,814 in Spain. It is unclear what level of reduction the Trump administration is considering, but some US media outlets have suggested that it could be significant.

The US leader has been bitterly critical of NATO allies for failing to help with the US-Israeli operation or with keeping the Strait of Hormuz open for oil tankers, cargo and maritime traffic.

Following Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s criticisms of the Iran war last month, the US president slammed in a surprise attack his formerly close right-wing ally, saying she “lacks courage” for not standing up to domestic pressure and publicly supporting or endorsing the war efforts.