An internal US Defense Department email outlines options for how the United States could punish NATO allies it believes have not supported US military operations against Iran. These options include suspending Spain from the alliance and reconsidering the US position on Britain’s claim to the Falkland Islands. This was reported by the Reuters agency on Friday, citing an unnamed American official, reports TASR.
- An internal Pentagon email outlines ways to punish uncooperative NATO allies.
- The sanctions being considered are suspending Spain and weakening support for the British Falklands.
According to the official, the options for further action are described in detail in an e-mail in which the Pentagon expresses disappointment at the reluctance or refusal of some allies to grant the United States the right to use military bases or fly through their airspace in connection with operations against Iran. The Ministry of Defense considers the right of US forces to access, deploy troops and fly over allied countries “an absolute foundation of NATO”.
Trump criticizes allies
US President Donald Trump has sharply criticized NATO allies since the start of the war against Iran for not sending naval forces to help open the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran closed to international shipping after the conflict began. He announced that he was considering withdrawing from the alliance and called it a paper tiger.
“We are faced with questions, obstacles or hesitation. We cannot talk about a real alliance if there are countries in it that are not willing to stand by you when you need them,” complained US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth about the approach of the allies.
NATO and Spain
In the e-mail, the Pentagon does not consider withdrawing from the alliance and does not even propose closing American bases in Europe. However, the official refused to confirm whether the widely expected withdrawal of part of the US forces from Europe is one of the options. According to him, the exclusion of representatives of “problem” states from important or prestigious positions in NATO is on the table.
Trump has repeatedly expressed his frustration, especially with Spain, whose government strongly criticizes the war against Iran and has not allowed Washington to use the US military bases Morón and Rota on Spanish territory or its airspace for operations against Iran. Suspension of Spain’s membership in the alliance would have limited impact on US military operations, but significant symbolic impact, according to the email.
Disputes over the Falklands
According to Reuters, it is not clear how Madrid could be suspended from the alliance. The agency could not confirm whether there is a mechanism within NATO that would allow this.
“We are not guided by emails. We are guided by official documents and opinions of governments, in this case the government of the United States,” Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said in response to the Reuters findings.
The Pentagon is also considering the possibility of reassessing US diplomatic support for European states’ claims to “imperial territories”. He cites the Falkland Islands off the coast of Argentina as an example. They are under the control of Britain, but the government in Buenos Aires also claims them. The two countries fought a short war over the Falklands in 1982, in which London won. However, Argentina continues to claim the islands, although the local residents wish to remain under British administration.
The UK initially refused a US request to allow US aircraft to attack Iran from two British bases. However, after retaliatory attacks by Iran, it agreed to defensive missions aimed at protecting the population of the region, including British citizens.
