Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has brushed off reports suggesting the Pentagon is considering punitive measures against NATO allies, including Spain, for their reluctance to support American operations in the Iran war.
Spain has steadfastly refused to grant US forces involved in the conflict access to its military bases or airspace, arguing that US-Israeli actions in the Iran war contravene international law.
This stance has infuriated President Donald Trump and reportedly led the Pentagon to weigh the possibility of suspending Spain from the transatlantic alliance, according to an unidentified US official cited by Reuters who referred to a US Defense Department email.
Responding to the claims at a European Union summit in Cyprus, Sánchez stated: “Well, we do not work with emails. We work with official documents and positions taken, in this case, by the government of the United States.”
He reiterated Spain’s position: “The position of the government of Spain is clear: absolute collaboration with the allies, but always within the framework of international legality.”
NATO operates on a principle of consensus, and its founding treaty lacks any mechanism for suspending or expelling member states, though nations can withdraw voluntarily with a year’s notice. The organization itself has no direct role in the Iran war beyond defending its own territory.
The reports emerge amid ongoing frustrations from Trump, who has repeatedly expressed anger over what he perceives as a failure by some NATO members to back American actions in the Iran war and assist in policing the Strait of Hormuz, a critical trade route.
He has openly questioned the value of US membership in the military alliance.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas appeared perplexed by the US criticism, pointing out that the United Kingdom and France are already leading efforts to secure trade in the strait once hostilities cease.
“When we have had contacts with the American counterparts, then actually their asks for us have been exactly what we are able to offer after the cessation of hostilities,” she said. “Demining, escorting of ships, all of this that we have been discussing.”
However, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has implicitly criticized allies like Spain and France, stressing that “long-standing arrangements and agreements with European allies on overflight, on basing” should be respected.
While Spain has restricted US military activity related to the Iran war, US warplanes have utilized other NATO allies’ airspace and bases for similar operations.
Trump has also threatened to cut trade with Spain over its refusal to permit the use of its facilities. More broadly, Spain has drawn criticism from allies for not committing to defence spending targets.
