Pentagon Proposes Punishing NATO Allies Spain and the UK

Internal Pentagon Memo on NATO

According to ХВИЛЯ: A high-level internal memo circulating at the Pentagon outlines potential measures against NATO allies who declined to support U.S. military operations in the war with Iran. Among the suggested actions are suspending Spain’s NATO membership and reassessing Washington’s stance on British claims to the Falkland Islands. While the document is being discussed at senior levels, it does not indicate any plans for the U.S. to leave NATO or close American bases in Europe.

The memo stresses that providing access, basing, and overflight rights (ABO) is considered the absolute minimum requirement for NATO membership. U.S. President Donald Trump had criticized NATO countries for refusing to send naval vessels to help clear the Strait of Hormuz. The air campaign began on February 28, and Trump stated he was considering a U.S. withdrawal from the alliance. In a Reuters interview on April 1, he confirmed that such a move was under consideration.

Spain and the United Kingdom

Spain refused to grant territory or airspace for strikes against Iran, despite the U.S. maintaining two military bases on Spanish soil: Rota and Morón. Suspending Spain’s NATO membership would have limited operational impact but carry significant symbolic weight. Spanish Prime Minister Sánchez dismissed the reports ahead of an EU leaders’ summit in Cyprus, saying:

“We don’t work with letters. We work with official documents and government positions.” - Spanish Prime Minister Sánchez

The memo also proposes changing American diplomatic support for the Falkland Islands, which are administered by the United Kingdom but claimed by Argentina. A spokesperson for UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer responded:

“Sovereignty belongs to the United Kingdom, and the islands’ right to self-determination is paramount. This is our consistent position, and it will remain unchanged.” - Keir Starmer

Additionally, Trump has called UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer a coward, and London initially refused but later agreed to defense missions aimed at protecting residents in the region. The United Kingdom, France, and other countries stated that taking part in a naval blockade of Hormuz would mean entering the war. Pentagon spokesperson Kingsley Wilson noted that 'allies did not support us,' while Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth commented: 'It’s not an alliance if you have countries that aren’t ready to stand by you when you need them.'

The tensions surrounding NATO allies’ positions in the context of the Iran war highlight the strained relations between the United States and certain European nations. The stances of Spain and the United Kingdom illustrate the complexity of geopolitical dynamics, where national interests can challenge alliance solidarity. Responses to these challenges may have long-term consequences for NATO’s stability and the broader international order.

As the Pentagon weighs potential punitive actions against NATO allies, understanding the legal implications of such measures becomes crucial. For instance, the challenges surrounding Spain's potential expulsion from NATO highlight the complexities involved in the alliance's governance. To delve deeper into why such a move might be unfeasible under existing NATO rules, see our detailed analysis on the impossibility of expelling Spain from NATO.