Trump team bashed Europe for a year. Now he wants support in war on Iran.

"The White House is not exactly trying to forge a coalition of the unwilling. Washington did not consult European allies before the attack and has not asked them to join in bombing Tehran. But the administration wants access to strategic European air bases and logistics hubs to facilitate its aerial barrage."

"The fragility of the transatlantic relationship is on display as European leaders avoid criticizing an American president who is sensitive to it, while he strikes an Iranian leadership that they too want to see weakened. The continent's leaders are wary, however, of a conflict unleashed by their most powerful ally that could bring untold ramifications to their doorstep."

"Trump is rebuking countries that don't offer unflinching support, like Britain, or anyone who takes a forceful stand against the war, namely Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. 'It's taken three or four days for us to work out where we can land. ... So we are very surprised,' Trump said."

Trump's administration, after dismissing Europeans as irrelevant, now demands their support for military operations against Iran aimed at regime change. European leaders have distanced themselves from early attacks while deploying military reinforcements to defend regional bases and partners. France, Italy, and Britain have provided varying levels of support, including allowing U.S. base access, but fall short of the enthusiastic endorsement Trump seeks. The White House did not consult allies before attacking and hasn't requested bombing participation, yet demands access to European air bases and logistics hubs. Trump rebukes countries offering insufficient support, including Britain and Spain's Prime Minister. European leaders navigate carefully, avoiding criticism of the sensitive American president while fearing regional consequences and voter backlash from another Middle Eastern conflict.

Read at The Washington Post