Madrid, 24 April 2026 – In a press briefing ahead of an EU summit in Cyprus, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez downplayed a report that the United States is weighing measures against NATO members that refused to back American operations in the war that erupted after Israel’s strike on Tehran. Sánchez told reporters that the Spanish government’s stance is unequivocal: it will cooperate with its allies "as long as it conforms to the rules of international law" and that there is no cause for alarm regarding Spain’s standing in the alliance.
The speculation stems from a Pentagon internal communication, identified by a U.S. official to Reuters, that listed possible responses to what Washington describes as "uncooperative" partners. Among the options were a temporary suspension of Spain from NATO activities and a reassessment of U.S. support for the United Kingdom’s claim to the Falkland Islands, a dispute that has lingered since the 1982 conflict. The memo, which has not been made public, reportedly framed these steps as a way to curb what Washington perceives as a sense of entitlement among European allies.
Spain, together with Italy and France, declined to permit U.S. aircraft to use their airfields or airspace for offensive missions against Iran. Those countries also joined a small group of European leaders who publicly condemned the Israeli‑U.S. airstrike on Tehran, calling it a violation of the United Nations Charter. The refusal to provide basing rights has been a focal point of President Donald Trump’s criticism of the alliance, as he has repeatedly questioned the value of NATO members that do not contribute directly to U.S. military objectives.
"We do not base our decisions on a single email; we rely on official policy documents and the positions articulated by governments," Sánchez said, emphasizing that Spain’s commitment to NATO remains firm. He added that the alliance operates on consensus and that there is no legal mechanism within the NATO treaty to expel a member, a point echoed by NATO officials who confirmed that the charter contains no provision for suspension or removal.
German Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hans Müller reinforced the view that Spain’s NATO membership is secure, stating, "Spain is a full member of the alliance, and there is no reason to doubt that status." Italy’s premier, Giorgia Meloni, also used the occasion to call for a stronger European pillar within NATO, arguing that the organization must balance American and European contributions to remain effective.
The United States, under Trump’s administration, has taken a hard line on allies that it deems insufficiently supportive. In a statement to the press, Department of Defense spokesperson Kingsley Wilson, speaking on behalf of the “War Department,” said the president believes that despite extensive U.S. assistance, some allies have not reciprocated when needed. Wilson added that the Pentagon is preparing “credible options” to ensure that partners are not merely symbolic participants in collective defense.
The broader context of the dispute is the ongoing war between Israel and Iran, which began after a surprise Israeli attack on Tehran’s nuclear facilities in early 2024. The conflict has disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical conduit for global oil supplies, prompting concerns about energy market stability. While the United Kingdom and France have pledged to assist in post‑war de‑mining and escort operations to reopen the strait, the United States has expressed frustration that European navies have not been deployed in larger numbers to secure the waterway.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, speaking in Cyprus, questioned the U.S. criticism, noting that European efforts to secure the strait after hostilities cease are already underway. "We have presented the United States with exactly what we can deliver—demining, convoy protection, and the restoration of safe passage," she said, adding that the EU does not understand why its contributions are being dismissed.
The mention of the Falkland Islands in the leaked memo adds another layer of diplomatic complexity. According to the anonymous source cited by Reuters, the email suggested that U.S. backing for Britain’s sovereignty claim could be reconsidered after the United Kingdom initially refused to allow U.S. aircraft to operate from its bases for the Iran conflict. London later granted limited permission for defensive missions, but the episode appears to have left a residue of tension. A spokesperson for Prime Minister Keir Starmer reiterated that the British position on the islands remains unchanged and is grounded in the principle of self‑determination for the islanders.
Analysts note that while the United States can exert political pressure, any formal move to suspend a NATO member would require unanimous consent from the alliance’s 31 states, a scenario that seems unlikely given the treaty’s consensus‑based decision‑making. Moreover, the strategic costs of alienating a key Mediterranean partner could outweigh any short‑term leverage the United States hopes to gain.
The episode underscores a growing strain within the trans‑Atlantic security framework, as divergent national interests clash over the conduct of the Iran‑Israel war and the broader question of burden‑sharing. For European capitals, the challenge is to maintain alliance cohesion while asserting independent foreign‑policy choices rooted in international law. For Washington, the task is to balance its demand for immediate military support with the political realities of democratic allies that must reconcile domestic constraints with external commitments.
As the EU summit in Cyprus proceeds, leaders are expected to reaffirm NATO’s collective defense principle while seeking mechanisms to address the United States’ concerns without compromising the alliance’s foundational consensus. The outcome will likely shape not only the diplomatic posture toward Iran but also the future trajectory of NATO‑U.S. relations in an increasingly multipolar world.
The situation remains fluid, and the leaked Pentagon email, though not officially confirmed, highlights the intensity of the debate over how NATO members should respond to crises that involve both regional security and global economic stakes.
--- This report draws on statements from Spanish, German, Italian, British and EU officials, as well as a Reuters‑cited U.S. Department of Defense source. It reflects the European perspective typical of Deutsche Welle’s coverage of international affairs.