A private Pentagon communication has outlined possible measures the United States could take against NATO allies it believes did not adequately support its military operations during the Iran conflict, according to a US official familiar with the matter.
Among the ideas discussed are suspending Spain from certain roles within NATO and reconsidering Washington’s stance on Britain’s claim over the Falkland Islands. The proposals reflect growing frustration within parts of the US defense establishment over what they see as limited cooperation from some European partners, said a Reuters report.
The internal note focuses on access, basing, and overflight permissions—key logistical elements for military operations—which officials say some allies were hesitant to provide during the campaign against Iran. According to the source, the message emphasized that such support represents a basic expectation within the alliance.
Rather than suggesting a full US withdrawal from NATO or the closure of bases in Europe, the document explores more targeted actions aimed at pressuring specific countries. One proposal involves excluding less cooperative members from influential NATO positions, a move that would carry more political weight than operational impact.
Ever since February of this year, when Iranian forces began targeting ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, tensions have continued to escalate between nations involved in the conflict. Although the U.S. sought the assistance of a larger coalition of naval forces from its allies, many governments in Europe opted out of supporting a mission to protect crews and vessels using that region as part of their normal transit routes, citing fears that they would be dragged into an ongoing war with Iran.
Openly questioning NATO’s value to the United States if members refuse to assist during decisive moments in history, President Donald Trump had an immediate reaction to NATO countries’ decisions to abstain from supporting joint operations in the region. In addition, he has also indicated a willingness for the United States to consider withdrawing from NATO; however, there is no interest expressed within the Pentagon to make such a recommendation.
US officials have been particularly frustrated with Spain, whose government declined to allow American forces to use its territory and airspace for offensive operations. Spain hosts key US military installations, including Naval Station Rota and Morón Air Base, making its cooperation strategically significant.
According to the official, the proposals are intended to send a clear message to European allies and address what some in Washington view as an imbalance in responsibilities within NATO.
Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez dismissed the report, saying his government responds only to formal policy positions rather than internal communications.
The memo also raises the possibility of revisiting US diplomatic backing for certain long-standing European territorial claims, including Britain’s control of the Falkland Islands. The islands, administered by the United Kingdom but claimed by Argentina, remain a sensitive geopolitical issue decades after the 1982 conflict between the two nations.
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