Washington, United States. The Pentagon is weighing options to punish NATO allies it believes failed to support US operations in the war with Iran, including suspending Spain from the alliance and reassessing American backing for Britain’s claim to the Falkland Islands, a US official told Reuters.
Internal email outlines potential responses
The options are described in an internal Pentagon email expressing frustration at some allies’ perceived reluctance to grant the United States access, basing and overflight rights for the Iran war, the official said. The official spoke on condition of anonymity.
The email stated that such rights are “just the absolute baseline for NATO” and was circulating at senior levels within the Pentagon, the official said.
Proposals include NATO roles and territorial claims
One option envisions suspending countries deemed “difficult” from important or prestigious positions within the alliance. Another proposes reassessing US diplomatic support for longstanding European territorial claims, specifically citing the Falkland Islands, which are administered by Britain but also claimed by Argentina.
Argentina’s president Javier Milei is a Trump ally, the official said. Britain and Argentina fought a brief war over the islands in 1982, in which 650 Argentine and 255 British soldiers were killed.
No proposal to leave NATO or close US bases in Europe
The email does not propose withdrawing from NATO or closing US bases in Europe, the official said.
Pentagon response and criticism of allies
Pentagon press secretary Kingsley Wilson said the department would “ensure that the President has credible options to ensure that our allies are no longer a paper tiger,” adding that NATO allies “were not there for us” despite everything the US had done for the alliance.
Spain cited over basing and airspace
Washington has expressed particular frustration with Spain after its Socialist-led government said it would not allow its bases or airspace to be used to attack Iran. The US operates two significant military installations in Spain: Naval Station Rota and Morón Air Base.
According to the official, the email argues that suspending Spain would have limited operational impact but significant symbolic weight.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, speaking ahead of a meeting of EU leaders in Cyprus to discuss topics including NATO’s mutual assistance clause, dismissed the report. “We do not work off emails. We work off official documents and government positions,” he said.
Britain’s stance on bases and the Falklands
Britain initially declined a US request to use British bases to attack Iran but later agreed to allow defensive missions aimed at protecting civilians in the region.
A spokesperson for Prime Minister Keir Starmer said British sovereignty over the Falklands was non-negotiable. “Sovereignty rests with the UK and the islands’ right to self-determination is paramount,” the spokesperson said.
Trump and Hegseth comments on alliance and war
Trump has repeatedly criticised Starmer, calling him cowardly for refusing to join the Iran war and describing Britain’s aircraft carriers as “toys.”
Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said earlier this month that the war had laid bare the limits of the alliance. “You don’t have much of an alliance if you have countries that are not willing to stand with you when you need them,” he said.
European allies’ position on naval blockade and Hormuz
Britain, France and other European allies have said joining the US naval blockade of Iran would amount to entering the war, but have indicated willingness to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz once a lasting ceasefire or settlement is reached.
Trump has threatened to withdraw from NATO entirely, telling Reuters on 1 April: “Wouldn’t you if you were me?”
What steps, if any, should NATO take to address disputes among allies over access and support during military operations?