Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said Friday he was “not worried” after reports that the US is considering measures — including suspending Spain from NATO — over allied refusal to support US operations in the war with Iran.
A US official cited by Reuters said an internal Pentagon email listed potential actions targeting NATO allies perceived as uncooperative. Options reportedly included suspending Spain from NATO and reviewing US support for Britain’s claim to the Falkland Islands.
Spain, along with Italy and France, denied US aircraft use of its bases or airspace for attacks on Iran. Sánchez was among a small group of European leaders to criticize a US‑Israeli strike on Tehran that helped trigger the conflict, calling it a breach of international law. He told reporters ahead of an EU leaders summit in Cyprus that Spain would judge the issue on official US government positions rather than emails.
“The Spanish government’s position is clear — absolute cooperation with the allies, but always within the framework of international legality,” Sánchez said. “Spain is a reliable member within NATO. As a result, I am absolutely not worried.”
NATO operates by consensus, and there is no clear mechanism for suspending a member, raising questions about how any such step would be implemented. A German government spokesperson said Spain’s NATO membership was not in question. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said NATO “must remain united” and called for strengthening NATO’s European pillar to complement the American one.
US President Donald Trump has publicly criticized NATO countries that refused to join the war and has questioned the value of US membership in the alliance. He also condemned allies for not sending navies to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which has been effectively closed by Iran since the war began.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, speaking in Cyprus, said she was puzzled by US criticism, noting that the UK and France are leading post‑hostilities efforts such as demining and escorting ships in the strait. “We have met US requests with exactly what we are able to offer,” she said.
When asked about the reported email, Department of Defense press secretary Kingsley Wilson said: “As President Trump has said, despite everything that the United States has done for our NATO allies, they were not there for us.” He added the department would ensure the president had “credible options” to make allies do more, declining to comment further on internal deliberations.
The source cited by Reuters said the email did not urge a US withdrawal from NATO or the closure of European bases. Rather, the options were intended to send a signal to Europeans and “decrease the sense of entitlement” among allies.
The email reportedly suggested reviewing US support for the UK’s claim to the Falkland Islands after Britain’s initial refusal to let US aircraft deployed in the Iran war use its bases; London later allowed “defensive” missions. A spokesperson for UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer reiterated that the sovereignty of the islands is a matter for Britain and affirmed the islands’ right to self‑determination.
Edited by: Sean Sinico