Donald Trump has launched a fresh attack on Spain over its refusal to support US military operations in Iran – as Washington moves ahead with plans to withdraw thousands of troops from Europe.

Speaking outside the White House, the US President accused Spain and Italy of failing to take the threat of a nuclear-armed Iran seriously.

‘I’m not happy with Italy and I’m not happy with Spain,’ he said. ‘They seem fine with Iran getting a nuclear weapon.’

He added: ‘Anyone who thinks that is not a very smart person.’

The remarks come as the US confirms it will withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany, in a move widely seen as a warning to European allies over their stance on global security issues.

Germany currently hosts around 35,000 US troops, the largest American military presence in Europe.

The partial withdrawal follows comments by German leaders urging caution over escalating the war in the Middle East, a position that has frustrated Washington.

Spain has also strongly distanced itself from the US-Israeli military campaign, declining any involvement and limiting the use of its bases in Andalucia, in a stance that has drawn direct criticism from Trump.

Earlier this week, when asked whether troop reductions could be extended to other countries such as Spain and Italy, Trump did not rule it out.

‘Yes, probably. Why wouldn’t I?’ he said.

The US currently has around 3,200 troops stationed in Spain, mainly at the naval base in Rota (Cadiz) and the air base in Moron (Sevilla) – both key strategic hubs for operations across Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

Trump insists the military campaign against Iran is aimed at preventing Tehran from developing nuclear weapons, despite repeated denials from Iranian authorities.

‘Everything has been eliminated,’ he claimed of Iran’s military. ‘They have nothing left.’