WASHINGTON — While Spain, France and Italy restricted military access during the Iran war, Greece granted airspace and basing rights, highlighting how a conflict in the Middle East is reshaping the strategic value of countries on NATO's southeastern flank.
Following the U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran, Greece permitted the use of its airspace and military facilities, making it one of the few European countries to provide broad operational access during the campaign.
"That relationship is really at its best right now," said Antonis Alexandridis, Greece's ambassador to the United States, outside an event honoring Greek members of Congress. "Energy, defense, the 3+1 with Cyprus and Israel, is all contributing."
Even before the Iran war, Greece had become one of Washington's closest security partners in Europe. The U.S. provided $98.1 million in foreign aid to Greece in fiscal 2024, including $30 million in direct military financing. Washington also proposed an additional $200 million in military funding to encourage Athens to transfer older defense equipment to Ukraine.
The defense partnership extends beyond aid. The U.S. approved a zero-cost transfer of surplus military equipment, including 60 Bradley fighting vehicles and two C-130H aircraft, while also backing an $8.6 billion agreement for Greece to purchase up to 40 F-35 fighter jets.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio underscored the administration's support in a statement marking Greece's National Day in March.
"Greece is a valued NATO Ally, and our close defense and law enforcement cooperation strengthens stability in the Mediterranean," Rubio said.
Rubio also praised Greece's efforts to reduce its dependence on Russian energy and said the United States was committed to expanding commercial ties and supplying the region with American liquefied natural gas.
Souda Bay on Crete, one of the most important U.S. and NATO military facilities in the Eastern Mediterranean, has become a central element of the growing defense relationship.
Rep. Gus Bilirakis, a Florida Republican who co-chairs the bipartisan Congressional Hellenic Caucus, said the base's strategic value helps explain Washington's continued focus on expanding cooperation with Greece.
A possible presidential visit has become part of the discussion. U.S. Ambassador Kimberly Guilfoyle told the Hellenic Broadcasting Corp. that a visit by President Donald Trump to Greece is under discussion. Trump is scheduled to be in the region for a NATO summit in Ankara in early July.
If such a visit takes place, "we're bringing 10 members of Congress, too," Bilirakis said.
Washington has spent more than half a century managing the often difficult relationship between Greece and Turkey. Although both nations joined NATO in 1952, disputes over Cyprus, maritime boundaries and airspace have repeatedly brought them close to confrontation.
Cyprus also rises in importance
Rep. Dina Titus of Nevada, vice chair of the Hellenic Caucus, told Greek-American advocates last month that Greece was "our most reliable democratic ally."
Rep. Mike Haridopolos, a Florida Republican whose father was born in Athens, argued that Greece's growing role as an entry point for U.S. liquefied natural gas shipments to Europe has further increased its strategic importance in Washington.
Members of Congress are also pushing legislation aimed at deepening military cooperation and education exchanges between the two countries. "I think we'll get it done," Bilirakis said. "The Turkish lobby is strong, but we have the members and people on our side."
The conflict also drew new attention to Cyprus, the third member of the so-called 3+1 partnership among the United States, Greece, Israel and Cyprus. The island's position in the Eastern Mediterranean has increased its strategic importance as tensions in the Middle East have intensified.
In March, Greece deployed warships and fighter aircraft to Cyprus following drone incursions linked to the conflict and a strike on Britain's Akrotiri air base.
John Sitilides, a geopolitical strategist and former consultant to the U.S. State Department under four administrations, said what distinguishes the partnership is that Greece, Cyprus and Israel are "initiating and implementing their strategic energy, security, and technology coordination organically."
