An internal Pentagon email reportedly outlines possible ways the United States could respond to NATO allies it believes are not fully supporting US military operations in the war with Iran.
According to a US official who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity, the proposals include expelling Spain from NATO and reconsidering US support for Britain’s claim to the Falkland Islands. The memo reflects anger at the reluctance or reluctance of some allies to provide access, basing and overflight rights (ABO) during the conflict.
The email described the ABO as “just the absolute foundation for NATO,” according to the official, who noted that the proposals were being discussed at higher levels in the Pentagon.
One proposal involved removing “difficult” member states from key or senior NATO roles.
The US-Israel conflict with Iran has heightened concerns about the future of the 76-year-old alliance, with analysts and diplomats warning that European nations are increasingly unsure whether the US would defend them if attacked, a report said.
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Britain, France and other allies argued that joining the US naval blockade would effectively mean entering the war. They said they would instead support efforts to secure the Strait of Hormuz after a lasting ceasefire is reached or the fighting ends.
At the same time, Trump administration officials insisted that NATO should not operate as a unilateral arrangement. They were particularly angered by Spain, whose socialist government refused to allow its bases or airspace to be used for strikes against Iran. The US operates two major military installations in Spain: Naval Station Rota and Morón Air Base.
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According to the official, the measures proposed in the email were intended to send a clear warning to NATO allies and reduce what was described as a growing “sense of entitlement” among European countries. According to the email, the proposal to suspend Spain from the alliance would likely not significantly affect US military operations; however, it would have a strong symbolic meaning.
The official did not explain how the United States might move to suspend Spain’s NATO membership, and Reuters could not immediately confirm whether the alliance had a procedure in place for such action.
When Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez was asked about the report ahead of a meeting of European Union leaders in Cyprus to discuss NATO’s mutual defense clause, he said: “We are not working on emails. We are working on official documents and government positions, in this case the United States.”
Trump’s criticism of NATO allies
President Donald Trump criticized NATO allies for not deploying their naval forces to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz after global shipping was disrupted when the air war began on February 28. He also said he was considering withdrawing the United States from the alliance.
When asked on April 1 if there was any plan for the US to withdraw from NATO, he asked Reuters: “Wouldn’t you if you were me?”
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The official said the email did not recommend that the United States leave NATO or close its military bases in Europe. However, they did not confirm whether it included plans to potentially reduce the number of US troops stationed across the continent.
Pentagon spokesman Kingsley Wilson said: “As President Trump said, despite everything the United States has done for our NATO allies, they have not been there for us.
“The War Department will ensure that the president has credible options to ensure that our allies are no longer a paper tiger and instead do their part. We are not commenting on any other internal considerations along these lines,” Wilson added.
(With inputs from Reuters)
