by Oui
Mon May 4th, 2026 at 06:11:56 PM EST
Economic pain trumps even the NATO allegiance ...
China launched a spy satellite to the benefit of ally Iran ...
More below the fold ...
NATO SG Rutte says Europeans have 'gotten the message' from Trump on defence | Al Jazeera |
The US president has accused some NATO countries of not doing enough to support the US-Israel war on Iran.
'Dangerous military intervention'
European criticism of the war on Iran has mounted in recent weeks as the conflict sends shockwaves through the global economy due to the continued disruption to shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
Last week, Merz compared the war to previous military quagmires, such as the US invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan.
"It is, at the moment, a pretty tangled situation," he said. "And it is costing us a great deal of money. This conflict, this war against Iran, has a direct impact on our economic output."
Spain has refused to let the US launch attacks on Iran from its airspace or military bases. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has condemned the war as "unjustified" and a "dangerous military intervention" outside the realm of international law.
In response, Trump called Spain "terrible" and threatened to end all trade ties.
Despite this, Rutte said "more and more" European nations were now pre-positioning assets such as minehunters and minesweepers close to the Gulf to be ready for the "next phase" in the war.
He provided no details, and European nations have previously insisted they would not help to police the Strait of Hormuz until the war is over.
China espionage satellite middle east TEE-01B launch date June 6, 2024 benefits republic of Iran
At least 16 American military sites have been damaged in Iranian strikes, making up the majority of US positions in the Middle East, a new CNN investigation can reveal. The damage includes high-value targets, raising questions about America's footprint in the region.
