‘Very Unhelpful’: Trump Slams France for Blocking US Military Flights to Israel

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday criticised France for denying the use of its airspace to American aircraft headed to Israel carrying military supplies.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump described France as “unhelpful” with Iran and warned that Washington would remember the move.

According to Reuters, a Western diplomat and two sources familiar with the matter said France had refused to allow Israel to use its airspace to transport American weapons intended for the war against Iran.

The sources added that the refusal, which occurred over the weekend, marked the first such instance since the conflict began.

How Did France’s Airspace Decision Impact US Military Support to Israel?

Meanwhile, The Jerusalem Post reported that Israel has halted its defence sales to France, citing a “hostile attitude”.

Sources said the move followed France’s posture towards Israel over the past two years.

Defence Minister Israel Katz formally ordered the halt, although officials indicated that such a decision would have required the backing of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

An Israeli official quoted in the report said that French President Emmanuel Macron’s decision to block US aircraft from passing through French airspace en route to Israel was “the straw that broke the camel's back,” prompting the suspension of defence procurement.

The developments come amid broader tensions involving US military logistics in Europe.

Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto denied the United States access to the Sigonella base after learning of a flight plan involving US air assets that intended to land there before proceeding to West Asia, according to La Repubblica.

The report stated that no authorisation had been requested and Italian military leaders had not been consulted, with the plan communicated while the aircraft were already in flight.

Why Did Italy Reject US Military Flight Access Under Existing Treaty Provisions?

Checks revealed that the flights were not routine or logistical and therefore fell outside existing treaty provisions.

Earlier in March, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said in an interview with RTL radio that, “We're not at war; we don't want to go to war,” as quoted by Politico.

US tensions have also extended to Spain. Trump reiterated his stance on cutting trade ties with Spain over its refusal to allow the use of its military bases for operations linked to the war with Iran.

“We may cut off trade with Spain,” he said.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has consistently opposed US-Israel joint military strikes, including those that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on February 28.

“This government is consistent in its principles and values: No to war," Sánchez said.

(With inputs from ANI)