Nato says US cannot suspend Spain from alliance, after reported Pentagon email

Spain’s government has rejected claims that the United States might suspend its membership in NATO, according to a NATO official who clarified that the founding treaty of the alliance does not provide for the suspension or expulsion of any member state. This comes amid reports that a Pentagon email suggested measures to penalize allies perceived as not supporting U.S. strategic interests, particularly in the context of the Iran conflict.

Pentagon’s Proposed Measures

A U.S. official shared with Reuters that an internal memo outlined potential actions against allies who failed to align with American military campaigns. The document proposed reviewing the U.S. stance on the UK’s claim to the Falkland Islands, a territory also disputed by Argentina. The memo emphasized that access, basing, and overflight rights were “the absolute baseline for NATO,” according to the unnamed official.

“We will protect them, but they will do nothing for us,” wrote Donald Trump in a public statement, highlighting his view of NATO as a “one-way street.” His criticism of allies for not committing more resources has intensified since the U.S. and Israel launched attacks on Iran in late February, leading to Iran restricting shipping through the critical Strait of Hormuz.

Spain’s Stance and Bases

Spain has refused to allow U.S. use of its air bases for strikes targeting Iran, despite hosting two military installations: Naval Station Rota and Morón Air Base. President Pedro Sánchez dismissed the email report, stating, “We do not work based on emails. We work with official documents and official positions taken, in this case, by the government of the United States.” He reiterated Spain’s commitment to cooperating with allies while adhering to international law.

“We support full cooperation with our allies, but always within the framework of international law,” Sánchez added.

UK’s Role and Strategic Considerations

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer argued that deeper involvement in the war or the current U.S. blockade of Iran’s ports was not in the UK’s interest. The UK has permitted the U.S. to use its bases for strikes on Iranian targets and deployed RAF aircraft in operations to intercept Iranian drones. Meanwhile, the UK, France, and other allies have expressed willingness to maintain the Strait of Hormuz open following a ceasefire or war resolution.

According to the Pentagon email, the U.S. could also reassess its diplomatic support for European territories like the Falklands, which are 8,000 miles from the UK and 300 miles from Argentina. Argentina has claimed sovereignty over the islands since their capture in 1982, when it invaded the British territory in the south-west Atlantic Ocean. The memo does not suggest withdrawing from NATO or closing European bases, as confirmed by a Pentagon press secretary.

Despite the reported email, the Pentagon’s official response emphasized that the U.S. remains focused on ensuring its allies are “no longer a paper tiger” and contribute meaningfully to collective security. The agency has not provided further details on internal discussions regarding the proposed measures.