An internal U.S. Defense Department email has outlined potential measures against NATO allies deemed insufficiently supportive of U.S. Operations in the Iran war, including suspending Spain from the alliance, according to a U.S. Official quoted by Reuters.
The email, circulated within the Pentagon, alleges “a sense of entitlement on the part of the Europeans” and is intended as a signal to NATO partners, the official said. It considers options such as suspending Spain from NATO and re-evaluating Washington’s stance on the British Falkland Islands, which Argentina similarly claims.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez dismissed the reports at an EU summit in Cyprus, saying Madrid is a “reliable member” of NATO that meets all its obligations. “I am absolutely not worried,” he told reporters.
“We do not work with emails,” Sánchez said. “We work with official documents and positions taken, in this case, by the government of the U.S.” He added that Spain’s position is clear: absolute collaboration with allies, but always within the framework of international legality.
A spokesperson for UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer reiterated Britain’s long-standing position on the Falkland Islands, stating sovereignty rests with the UK and the islanders’ right to self-determination is paramount. The spokesperson added that pressure does not affect Starmer and he will always act in the national interest.
The email notes that suspending Spain from NATO would carry strong symbolic weight but little operational consequence for the U.S. Military. Spain has refused to allow U.S. Forces involved in the Iran war to use its bases or airspace, citing that U.S.-Israeli actions contravene international law.
France and the UK have also declined to give U.S. Forces unrestricted use of their territory for the bombing campaign. Initially, the UK did not authorize U.S. Planes to launch attacks on Iran from two British bases, though Starmer later approved their use for what he called “defensive purposes.”
U.S. President Donald Trump has criticized European allies for not backing U.S. Operations in Iran, calling Spain “terrible” and threatening to end all trade with the country. He has also slammed Starmer as “no Winston Churchill” and mocked British aircraft carriers as “toys.”
NATO operates by consensus, and its founding treaty has no mechanism for suspending or ejecting member countries, although nations may leave voluntarily after one year’s notice. As an organization, NATO has no direct role in the Iran war except to defend its own territory.
The last time a major NATO ally faced similar U.S. Pressure over military support was in 2003, when the U.S. Criticized France and Germany for opposing the Iraq War, though no suspension measures were pursued.
Can the U.S. Unilaterally suspend Spain from NATO?
No, suspending a NATO member requires consensus among all allies; the U.S. Cannot act alone.
What is Spain’s stated reason for denying U.S. Forces access to its territory for Iran operations?
Spain says U.S.-Israeli actions in the Iran war contravene international law.