Published On 4/24/2026
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has refused to be drawn into a conflict with the United States over reports that the Pentagon is considering whether to punish NATO members who do not support US operations in the war against Iran.
Sanchez said on Friday that his government would continue normal cooperation with its allies in NATO.
Sanchez added in statements to reporters during the European Union summit in Cyprus: “Well, we do not work through emails. We work through official documents and positions taken, in this case, by the United States government.”
He said, “Our positions are clear, which is absolute cooperation with allies.”
Spain is one of the countries that refused to allow American forces to use bases on its territory or airspace. Spain confirms that the actions of the United States and Israel in the Iranian war violate international law.
Message and options
Reuters quoted an American official as saying that an internal email from the US Department of Defense (the Pentagon) suggested suspending Spain’s membership in NATO and reviewing the US position on Britain’s claim to sovereignty over the Falkland Islands.
He explained that the letter contained options for the United States to punish NATO member states believed to have not supported American operations in the war against Iran.
The official, who requested anonymity, added that the policy options are detailed in a memorandum describing disappointment over what is seen as reluctance or refusal by some NATO members to grant the United States access, military positioning, and airspace rights in the context of the Iran war.
He pointed out that the letter described the rights of access, military positioning and crossing the airspace as “merely the absolute minimum for NATO,” and added that the options were being discussed at high levels in the Pentagon.
The official told Reuters that one of the options included in the letter includes suspending “difficult” countries from assuming important or prominent positions in NATO.
Criticisms and comments
US President Donald Trump strongly criticized NATO members for not sending naval fleets to help open the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran closed to global maritime navigation on February 28 following the war launched by America and Israel against it.
Trump also indicated that he is considering withdrawing from the alliance, and during an interview with Reuters in early April, Trump asked, “Wouldn’t you do that if you were in my place?”, in response to a question about whether the United States’ withdrawal from NATO was on the table.
In response to a request for comment about the email, Pentagon spokeswoman Kingsley Wilson said, “As President Trump said, despite everything the United States has done for NATO allies, they have not stood by us.”
The Pentagon spokeswoman added: “The Department of Defense will ensure that the President has credible options to ensure that our allies are not just a paper tiger, but rather carry out their roles. We have no further comment on any internal deliberations on this matter.”
European concerns
Analysts and diplomats believe that the American-Israeli war on Iran has raised serious questions about the future of NATO, which was founded 76 years ago, and has raised unprecedented concern that the United States may not extend a helping hand to its European allies if they are attacked.
Britain, France and other countries said joining the US naval blockade would mean entering the war, but they would be willing to help keep the strait open once a permanent ceasefire is reached or the war ends.
But Trump administration officials stressed that NATO cannot be a one-way street.
They expressed disappointment with Spain, whose government, led by the Socialist Workers Party, said it would not allow its bases or airspace to be used to attack Iran. The United States has two important military bases in Spain: Rota Naval Base and Moron Air Base.
