Trump Reportedly Considers Suspending Spain's NATO Membership; NATO Says No Such Provision Exists
Following reports that the US might seek to suspend Spain's NATO membership for uncooperative stances regarding Iran, NATO clarified that there are no treaty provisions for such actions.
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- 📰 Published: April 24, 2026 at 23:13
- 🔍 Collected: April 24, 2026 at 23:32 (18 min after Published)
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Central News
(CNA, Brussels, 24th, Foreign Dispatch) Reuters reported today that the United States might seek to suspend Spain's membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) due to Spain's stance on the Iran war. However, NATO stated that the organization has no provisions for suspending or expelling a member.
Reuters, citing a US official, noted that an internal Pentagon email suggested the US could take measures to punish allies who did not support its military actions, including suspending Spain's NATO membership.
US President Donald Trump has repeatedly criticized NATO allies, accusing them of being unwilling to play a more significant role following the joint US-Israeli attack on Iran in late February and Iran's subsequent restriction of shipping in the crucial Strait of Hormuz.
Spain refused to allow the US to use its air bases to attack Iran. The US military maintains two military bases in Spain, including Naval Station Rota and Moron Air Base.
A NATO official told the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) that the organization's founding treaty "does not foresee any provisions regarding the suspension of membership or expulsion of members."
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez also downplayed the relevant reports. He told reporters: "We do not act based on emails. We act based on formal documents and official positions, which in this case means the position taken by the US government." (Translated by Chen Cheng-chien) 1150424
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(CNA, Brussels, 24th, Foreign Dispatch) Reuters reported today that the United States might seek to suspend Spain's membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) due to Spain's stance on the Iran war. However, NATO stated that the organization has no provisions for suspending or expelling a member.
Reuters, citing a US official, noted that an internal Pentagon email suggested the US could take measures to punish allies who did not support its military actions, including suspending Spain's NATO membership.
US President Donald Trump has repeatedly criticized NATO allies, accusing them of being unwilling to play a more significant role following the joint US-Israeli attack on Iran in late February and Iran's subsequent restriction of shipping in the crucial Strait of Hormuz.
Spain refused to allow the US to use its air bases to attack Iran. The US military maintains two military bases in Spain, including Naval Station Rota and Moron Air Base.
A NATO official told the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) that the organization's founding treaty "does not foresee any provisions regarding the suspension of membership or expulsion of members."
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez also downplayed the relevant reports. He told reporters: "We do not act based on emails. We act based on formal documents and official positions, which in this case means the position taken by the US government." (Translated by Chen Cheng-chien) 1150424
Stand with facts; every sponsorship you make is a force protecting press freedom.
Download the CNA 'First Hand News' APP to grasp the latest news instantly.
The text, images, and audio/video on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and utilized without authorization.