Reuters: Pentagon weighs NATO penalties, Spain's suspension considered

An internal Pentagon email has outlined possible punitive measures against NATO allies that the United States believes did not support its operations in the war with Iran, according to Reuters.

A source within the defence department confirmed the authenticity of the email, saying the Pentagon expressed frustration over some countries’ reluctance to provide territory for troop deployment or airspace for military aircraft.

Among the options discussed are the suspension of Spain’s NATO membership and a reassessment of the US position on the Falkland Islands.

The US State Department currently states on its website that the islands are administered by the United Kingdom, while Argentina continues to claim sovereignty.

Argentine President Javier Milei is described as an ally of Trump in the report.

Britain initially did not grant a request from the US to allow its aircraft to attack ⁠Iran from two ​British bases, but later agreed to allow defensive missions aimed at protecting residents of the region, including British citizens, amid Iranian ​retaliation.

The memo also reportedly considers removing representatives of problematic countries from senior NATO positions.

It emphasises that Spain’s suspension would be symbolic and would not affect US military operations, but would serve as a signal to allies about the consequences of insufficient support.

The document does not specify how Washington would seek to push for Madrid’s exclusion.

The source denied that the US is considering closing military bases in Europe or withdrawing from NATO.

According to the source, the proposed measures are intended to send a strong message aimed at reducing a sense of superiority among Europeans.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov