Tinotenda Hove – Donald Trump has sharply criticized both the United Kingdom and Spain over their positions following recent U.S. military strikes in Iran, accusing the two allies of failing to support Washington during the operation.

Speaking to reporters at the White House alongside German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Trump expressed frustration at what he described as inconsistent backing from European partners.

“Some of the European nations have been helpful, and some haven’t, and I’m very surprised,” Trump said during the Oval Office meeting.

He singled out Germany for praise, saying it had “been great” in its reaction to the strikes, while directing strong criticism at Spain.
“Spain has been terrible,” he said. “In fact, I told Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to cut off all dealings with Spain.”

Trump cited Madrid’s decision not to increase defense spending in line with other NATO members and its refusal to permit the U.S. to use Spanish military bases for operations connected to Iran.

“We can use their base if they want. We can just fly in and use it. Nobody’s going tell us not to use it,” he remarked. He later added, “We’re going to cut off all trade with Spain. We don’t want anything to do with Spain.”
The U.S. president also voiced dissatisfaction with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the UK government’s recent foreign policy decisions.

“And by the way, I’m not happy with the U.K. either,” Trump said.
He criticized Britain’s move to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands — home to the strategically significant Diego Garcia base — to Mauritius.

“This is not Winston Churchill,” Trump said, suggesting that current leadership lacked the resolve of the wartime British prime minister.
Reiterating his disappointment later in the meeting, Trump stated, “Spain has been very, very uncooperative, and so has the U.K. Now the second one is shocking, but this is not the age of Churchill.”

Referring again to the Chagos issue, he added, “The U.K. has been very, very uncooperative with that stupid island that they have. They ruin relationships. It’s a shame.”

In response, Starmer made clear that Britain would not participate in offensive air operations against Iran, though it has supported defensive measures in the region.
“This government does not believe in regime change from the skies,” Starmer said on Monday.

Spain also reaffirmed its position that U.S. forces would not be allowed to use Spanish bases for missions tied to the conflict.
“The joint-use bases, but under Spanish sovereignty, will not be used for anything not included within the treaty nor outside the U.N. Charter,” Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares said during a televised interview, according to a translation from RTVE.

The dispute highlights growing tensions between Washington and key European allies over the scope and strategy of military engagement in Iran.