Romania opens air bases to US forces during Iran war
A look back at the Romanian decision of 11 March 2026 to back US operations, as Ukraine's drone support in Jordan was also in the news.
What did Romania agree to on 11 March 2026? It authorised the United States to use its air bases to refuel aircraft and to deploy monitoring and satellite communications equipment. The support was tied to US military operations related to the 2026 Iran war.
The authorisation followed approval by the Romanian parliament and the Supreme Council of National Defence, so the decision passed through both bodies before taking effect.
Ukraine's role in the region
Two days earlier, on 9 March 2026, President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that Ukraine was deploying interceptor drones and specialists to help protect US military bases in Jordan during the same war.
Taken together, the two reports showed European countries on NATO's eastern flank and Ukraine becoming involved in support for US forces in the conflict with Iran, through basing and refuelling in Romania's case and through air-defence assistance in Ukraine's.
