The issue of the American military presence in Europe has returned to the forefront again, after US President Donald Trump hinted at the possibility of withdrawing his country’s forces from Italy, in a new escalation towards a number of European allies who opposed the war against Iran or refused to facilitate American military operations in the Middle East.

In an interview with the Italian newspaper “Corriere della Sera” on Saturday, Trump said that he was still studying the issue of withdrawing American forces from Italy, adding: “Italy was not there when we needed it.”

Trump’s statements come after previous threats to withdraw American forces from Germany and Spain, against the backdrop of their opposition to the war against Iran, and Madrid’s refusal to allow the use of its military bases in combat operations.

In parallel, the US Ambassador to NATO, Matthew Whitaker, escalated his tone, stressing in a post on the “X” platform that “the era of America bearing heavy costs to defend Europe has ended,” adding that Washington “demands actions, not words, from its allies.”

These positions came after a two-day visit by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to the Italian capital, Rome, where he told reporters that the ability of the United States to deploy its forces in Europe for use in other crises has become questionable, if some allied countries refuse to cooperate in emergency military files.

“If one of the main reasons for the United States being in NATO was the ability to deploy forces in Europe that could be used in other contingencies, and that is no longer possible now, then that is an issue that must be considered,” Rubio added.

He stressed that the final decision rests with Trump, noting that the US President “has not yet made his decision” regarding any new withdrawal of forces.

Rubio also explained that the decision to withdraw 5,000 American soldiers from Germany was previously decided, and aims to return the number of forces to 2022 levels, adding that “the United States’ global commitments are constantly changing and evolving.”

This escalation comes after Italy recently refused to allow some American aircraft heading to the Middle East on a combat mission against Iran to land at the “Sigonella” base in eastern Sicily, according to what was reported by Italian media and sources in the Ministry of Defense.

According to the agreements signed between Rome and Washington, some Italian bases can be used by the US army for logistical purposes only, and not to carry out direct combat operations.

Trump, who has always called on European countries to bear greater responsibility in defending themselves, seems more stringent this time, especially with the continuation of the war with Iran since last February 28, and the escalating tension in the Strait of Hormuz, where Washington seeks to guarantee freedom of navigation amid continuing Iranian objections.