NATO Confirms No Suspension Procedures Amid U.S. Tensions with Spain

Sat Apr 25 2026 20:58:53 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

NATO reiterates that its founding treaty does not allow for the suspension or expulsion of members, responding to U.S. allegations against Spain regarding its stance on the Iran war.

NATO has stated that there are no provisions in its treaty to suspend or expel member states, following reports that the U.S. may seek to penalize Spain for its reluctance to support military actions against Iran. A Pentagon email suggested actions against allies perceived as unsupportive, including potentially reassessing U.S. support for British claims over the Falkland Islands. Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has dismissed these allegations as unofficial, emphasizing adherence to formal government communications.

NATO says there is no provision for member states to be suspended or expelled from the military alliance after a report said the US could seek to suspend Spain over its Iran war stance.

Reuters quoted a US official who said an internal Pentagon email had suggested measures for the US to punish allies it believed had failed to support its campaign.

The email also suggested reviewing the US position on the UK’s claim to the Falklands islands in the south Atlantic, which are also claimed by Argentina.

A NATO official told the BBC that the alliance's founding treaty does not foresee any provision for suspension of NATO membership, or expulsion.

Spain's leader has also dismissed the report.

Pentagon Press Secretary Kingsley Wilson noted that despite the US's contributions to NATO allies, they were not sufficiently supportive. She stated, The War Department will ensure that the president has credible options to ensure that our allies are no longer a paper tiger and instead do their part.

On the matter of Spain, Wilson commented, We have no further comment on any internal deliberations to that effect. The BBC has contacted the UK government for insight.

US President Trump has voiced continual criticism towards NATO allies for their reluctance to partake actively following recent military actions in the region.

Spain has notably refrained from permitting the use of its air bases for actions against Iran, despite hosting US military installations.

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez stated, We do not work based on emails. We work with official documents and official positions taken, in this case, by the government of the United States. He reiterated Spain's commitment to support allies within international law frameworks.

In contrast, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized that escalating involvement in the conflict or supporting US blockades does not align with the UK's interests. The UK has, however, allowed US forces to utilize British bases for military strikes against Iranian targets.

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth insisted on Friday that European allies need to contribute more significantly to the defense efforts pertaining to Iran. He criticized the current reliance on longstanding US protection, especially concerning vital shipping routes like the Strait of Hormuz.