Mar 24, 2026
3 min read
Military deployments in Germany, Portugal, Italy, France and Greece are important to Washington's operations against Tehran.
European support for the United States, which has joined Israel in its conflict with Iran, is wider than the authorities of the Old Continent countries officially admit.In addition to some public positions by European leaders, the perception of the insignificant role of historical allies has been promoted by American President Donald Trump himself, who has repeatedly criticized the limited contribution of foreign partners to the mission against the Iranian regime since the beginning of Operation Epic Fury.
However, as we mentioned, the reality will be very different.The Wall Street Journal is currently writing that many European countries are playing a "silent" important supporting role in the ongoing war in the Middle East.The financial paper goes on to argue that while many European leaders publicly condemn the attacks on Tehran, behind the scenes their military bases are facilitating one of the most complex logistics operations undertaken by the US military in decades.
According to a Wall Street Journal report, since February 28, bombers, seaplanes and drones have been refueled, armed and launched from bases located in the UK, Germany, Portugal, Italy, France and Greece.Among the examples of the old continent's more or less covert commitment reported by the American newspaper are drones operated from the huge US base in Ramstein, Germany, the real nerve center of US operations in Iran.And then the B-1 bombers loaded ammunition and refueled at the Royal Air Force Base in Fairford, UK, and the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. for repairs after a fire on board. The Ford docked in Crete for repairs.
Italy also plays a key role in conflicts in the Middle East.Our country hosts the U.S. Air Force's Aviano Air Base, where tankers are stationed to refuel aircraft.This aircraft will help carry out long-range bombing missions against Iran.Similar aircraft will also be based at the French base.
Despite the Wall Street Journal report, Trump has criticized the poor military contributions of his European partners (complaints the tycoon has voiced since his first mandate) and has repeatedly feared the withdrawal of American troops in favor of other fronts, such as Asia, where China continues to expand its influence."Cowardly, and we will not forget it," the head of the White House wrote on his social network Pravda last Friday, commenting on the lack of interest shown by the Europeans in the mission to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz.
However, military experts confirm that Europe is the main area for US operations not only in the Middle East, but also in Africa, and thanks to the support of a large network of bases, Washington can show its power in the region.In fact, about 40 American military bases (and 80 thousand US soldiers) are located on the Old Continent, sharing their intelligence and reconnaissance capabilities, which, in other actions, allow Washington to identify threats to national borders and inside Russia.
The United States, regardless of official statements, will still be aware of the contributions of foreign partners. Former US General Gordon B. Davis said last year that Europe's location, at the crossroads of Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia, makes it ideal for rapid deployment in all directions, while US Air Force General Alexus Grinkiewicz, the supreme military commander of NATO, recently told an audience on CapitolHill that many of Europe's allies "have proven to be extremely reliable."
It is true that the Epic Fury makes it difficult for European leaders to work, who, not being warned by the opposition of Washington, do not want to appear as supporters of direct conflict, which leads to reward and concern of the electorate.began to protest in Iran.The planes in Spain were transferred to stations in Germany and France.
The British government has previously banned the use of the bases after Prime Minister Keir Starr announced that the US could launch "defensive" operations from the Indian Ocean air base Fairford RAF and the Diego Garcia outpost to hit the Ayatollah's regime's missile launchers.
