Reuters: Pentagon Email Weighs Option to Suspend Spain's NATO Membership
An internal Pentagon email reveals options to punish NATO allies—specifically suspending Spain's membership—for refusing to grant the US base and overflight rights in a potential war with Iran.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 24, 2026 at 18:55
- 🔍 Collected: April 24, 2026 at 19:02 (6 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 24, 2026 at 21:04 (2h 2m after Collected)
Focus News on US-Iran War
Central News Agency
(CNA, Washington, 24th, Foreign Wire) An internal Pentagon email outlines various policy options the United States could take to punish NATO allies that Washington feels are failing to support US military operations in a potential US-Iran war, including the suspension of Spain's NATO membership.
According to Reuters, a US official speaking on the condition of anonymity revealed that a memo detailed these policy options. Its contents show US frustration with certain allies who are unwilling or refusing to grant the access, basing, and overflight rights (collectively referred to as ABO) that the US needs for a war in Iran.
According to the official, the email stated that ABO is "the bare minimum requirement for NATO"; these options are currently circulating among top Pentagon officials.
The official pointed out that one of the options proposed in the email is to suspend "problematic" countries from holding important or prestigious positions within NATO.
While outlining the contents of the email, the official mentioned that these policy options are intended to send a strong signal to NATO allies, aiming to "diminish the sense of entitlement on the European side."
Spain's Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) government has previously stated that it would not allow its bases or airspace to be used to attack Iran. Officials in President Donald Trump's administration have already expressed their dissatisfaction with Spain.
The email noted that suspending Spain's NATO membership would have a limited impact on US military operations but would carry significant symbolic meaning.
The official declined to disclose exactly how the US would go about suspending Spain's NATO membership, and Reuters is currently unable to confirm if such a mechanism exists within current NATO frameworks.
Trump has harshly criticized NATO allies for not deploying naval forces to help secure the Strait of Hormuz and has threatened to consider pulling the US out of NATO altogether.
However, the official clarified that the email did not recommend the US take that step, nor did it propose closing US military bases in Europe.
Furthermore, the official declined to comment on whether the options presented in the email included the widely anticipated partial withdrawal of US forces from Europe. (Editor/Translator: Hung Pei-ying) 1150424
Stand with facts; every sponsorship you give is the power to protect press freedom.
Download the CNA "First-hand News" APP to grasp the latest news instantly.
The text, images, and audio/video of this website may not be reproduced, broadcast publicly, or transmitted and utilized publicly without authorization.
Central News Agency
(CNA, Washington, 24th, Foreign Wire) An internal Pentagon email outlines various policy options the United States could take to punish NATO allies that Washington feels are failing to support US military operations in a potential US-Iran war, including the suspension of Spain's NATO membership.
According to Reuters, a US official speaking on the condition of anonymity revealed that a memo detailed these policy options. Its contents show US frustration with certain allies who are unwilling or refusing to grant the access, basing, and overflight rights (collectively referred to as ABO) that the US needs for a war in Iran.
According to the official, the email stated that ABO is "the bare minimum requirement for NATO"; these options are currently circulating among top Pentagon officials.
The official pointed out that one of the options proposed in the email is to suspend "problematic" countries from holding important or prestigious positions within NATO.
While outlining the contents of the email, the official mentioned that these policy options are intended to send a strong signal to NATO allies, aiming to "diminish the sense of entitlement on the European side."
Spain's Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) government has previously stated that it would not allow its bases or airspace to be used to attack Iran. Officials in President Donald Trump's administration have already expressed their dissatisfaction with Spain.
The email noted that suspending Spain's NATO membership would have a limited impact on US military operations but would carry significant symbolic meaning.
The official declined to disclose exactly how the US would go about suspending Spain's NATO membership, and Reuters is currently unable to confirm if such a mechanism exists within current NATO frameworks.
Trump has harshly criticized NATO allies for not deploying naval forces to help secure the Strait of Hormuz and has threatened to consider pulling the US out of NATO altogether.
However, the official clarified that the email did not recommend the US take that step, nor did it propose closing US military bases in Europe.
Furthermore, the official declined to comment on whether the options presented in the email included the widely anticipated partial withdrawal of US forces from Europe. (Editor/Translator: Hung Pei-ying) 1150424
Stand with facts; every sponsorship you give is the power to protect press freedom.
Download the CNA "First-hand News" APP to grasp the latest news instantly.
The text, images, and audio/video of this website may not be reproduced, broadcast publicly, or transmitted and utilized publicly without authorization.