Romania opens air bases to US forces during Iran war
A look back at the decision taken by Bucharest on 11 March 2026, as the 2026 Iran war drew in partners and neighbours.
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 in support of military operations linked to the Iran war.
The authorisation followed approval by the Romanian parliament and by the Supreme Council of National Defence, meaning the decision passed through both a legislative and a national defence-policy body before taking effect.
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 announcements showed how states beyond the immediate theatre were contributing to the American military effort.
The Romanian decision covered support functions, namely refuelling, monitoring and satellite communications, as reported at the time.
