US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth told NATO defence ministers Thursday the Pentagon will review its military presence in Europe within the next six months, as Washington pressures its allies to increase their defence spending amid the administration's anger over their response to the US-Israeli war on Iran. "This will be a real review. It will be designed to ensure that NATO is moving fast and irreversibly toward Europe leading, stepping up to take primary responsibility for the defence of Europe," Hegseth told a meeting of NATO defence ministers in Brussels. "It's a review that some countries will fail, and others will pass with flying colours." Read moreA look at the US military presence in Europe as Trump seeks to withdraw troops from Germany The Pentagon chief said the move was also aimed at ensuring US "access, basing and overflight are clearly delineated and assured" after some European imposed restrictions on US forces during the US-Israeli war on Iran. "It was shameful. These allies, they put America's sons and daughters, our sons and daughters, at risk," he said. "There's no excuse for that." As an organisation, NATO has no direct role in the Iran war except to defend its own territory. The US is piling on the pressure ahead of a NATO summit next month as it seeks to make sure that allies make good on a pledge made last year to massively ramp up defence spending. Hegseth said going forward Washington paying its dues to cover NATO organisational running costs – roughly some $790 million in 2026 – would be "contingent" on allies reaching spending targets. "Where other allies do not spend with urgency, our dues contributions will go down," he said. The broadside from the US defence chief – who had initially signalled a conciliatory tone – will send a jolt through NATO allies concerned over US commitment to defending Europe.