US Considers Suspending Spain from NATO Over Internal Email Suggestion

US Defense Department Circulates Email on Potential Measures Against NATO Allies

A US official has confirmed that an email has been circulated within the United States Defense Department outlining potential measures the US could take against NATO allies it believes have not sufficiently supported its war on Iran. The email considers options such as suspending Spain from NATO and re-evaluating Washington’s stance on the British Falkland Islands, which are also claimed by Argentina.

According to the official, the email is intended as a signal to NATO partners and aims to convey “a sense of entitlement on the part of the Europeans.” Suspending Spain from the bloc would carry symbolic weight with little operational consequence to the US military, according to the email. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has stated that NATO must remain united, emphasizing the importance of its European pillar complementing the American one.

In response to the report, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez expressed confidence in Madrid’s reliability as a NATO member and stated that Spain works within the framework of international legality. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s spokesperson reiterated the UK’s position on the Falkland Islands, stating that sovereignty rests with the UK and the islands’ right to self-determination is paramount.

US officials have previously expressed frustration with European allies for refusing or hesitating to allow the use of their bases for attacks on Iran. The US has also urged NATO countries to deploy their navies to help force open the Strait of Hormuz, which has been largely shut off to global shipping for two months.

Source: Al Jazeera