THE GUARDIAN: Many countries in Europe have called the conflict illegal, with some blocking Israeli and US planes from moving weapons through their airspace
Donald Trump has launched a tirade against European countries that refused to join his war against Iran, calling out the UK and France, as transatlantic relations soured from the spiralling conflict that has wreaked havoc on the global economy.
On his Truth Social website, the US president told governments worried about fuel prices to “go get your own oil” by force from the Gulf, comments that sent oil prices even higher.
In a tentative sign of a more proactive European pushback to the war, it was revealed on Tuesday that France had blocked Israeli planes from flying weapons through its airspace while Italy refused last-minute permission for US bombers to land in Sicily.
Spain has already denied the US use of its bases and airspace for the war, and on Tuesday Madrid’s defence minister said the country would not “accept lectures from anyone”. The UK, meanwhile, has allowed the US to use its bases for a war its government says is illegal, but has nonetheless received public admonishment from Trump. » | Oliver Holmes, Angela Giuffrida and Stephen Burgen | Tuesday, March 31, 2026
