A leaked internal Pentagon email contains options for the United States to punish NATO allies it deems have failed to support U.S. operations in the war with Iran, including suspending Spain from the alliance and reconsidering the U.S. position on Britain's claim to the Falkland Islands, a U.S. official told Reuters.
He said the document reflects frustration over the perceived unwillingness of some allies to grant the United States access, bases and overflight rights (known as ABOs) during a war with Iran. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said these options are being considered at high levels in the Pentagon.
The email states that the ABO is the absolute minimum for NATO, and among the proposed measures is the removal of "problematic" states from important or prestigious positions within the Alliance.
US President Donald Trump has sharply criticized NATO allies for not sending their navies to help open the Strait of Hormuz, which has been closed to global shipping since the start of the air war on February 28. He has even announced that he is considering withdrawing the US from NATO.
"Wouldn't you be in my shoes?" Trump asked in an interview with Reuters on April 1, responding to a question about a possible withdrawal from the Alliance.
However, as the same source states, the email does not propose such a move, nor the closure of US bases in Europe. It is not specified whether a reduction in the US military presence on the European continent is being considered.
Pentagon spokesman Kingsley Wilson, asked for comment, said the Defense Department would provide the president with "credible options" so that allies "stop being paper tigers and start taking their share of responsibility."
Tensions are rising within NATO.
The US-Israeli war against Iran has raised serious questions about the future of the 76-year-old Alliance and raised concerns that Washington may not come to the defense of European allies in the event of an attack, analysts and diplomats say.
Great Britain, France and other countries state that joining the American naval blockade would mean direct entry into war, but emphasize that they are ready to help maintain the navigability of the strait after a permanent ceasefire.
The Trump administration, however, says NATO cannot be a one-way street and has expressed particular dissatisfaction with Spain, whose socialist government has refused to allow the use of its bases and airspace for strikes on Iran. The US has two key military bases in Spain: the Rota naval base and the Moron air base.
According to the email, the proposed measures are intended to send a strong message to allies and reduce “the sense of privilege among Europeans.” Spain’s suspension would have a limited military but significant symbolic effect.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez rejected these allegations, saying that his government does not operate based on emails, but on official positions.
The document also envisages the possibility of reviewing American diplomatic support for European overseas territories, such as the Falkland Islands, which are controlled by Great Britain and claimed by Argentina.
Great Britain and Argentina fought a brief war in 1982 over these islands, in which about 650 Argentine and 255 British soldiers were killed.
Trump has repeatedly criticized British Prime Minister Keir Starmer for refusing to join the war against Iran, calling him a weak leader and saying he is no Winston Churchill.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegsett said earlier this month that the war with Iran had laid many things bare, noting that Iranian long-range missiles cannot hit the US, but they can reach Europe.
"You don't get much out of an alliance if there are countries that aren't willing to stand by you when you need them," Hegseth said.
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