Pentagon Reportedly Floats Suspending Spain from NATO Over Iran Base Refusal

Pentagon Email Raises Possibility of NATO Suspension

An internal Pentagon email has reportedly raised the possibility of suspending Spain from NATO — an extraordinary measure that would be without precedent in the alliance's history — after Madrid refused to allow US forces to use Spanish military bases for strikes against Iran.

The same document is said to discuss reversing Washington's traditionally neutral stance on the Falkland Islands dispute, potentially withdrawing US support for Britain's claim over the islands — a significant diplomatic lever that would be used to pressure the UK, which also declined to fully support US military operations.

What Spain Refused — and Why

The tension stems from Spain's refusal to permit US forces to use its military installations — specifically the strategically important bases at Rota (in Cádiz) and Morón de la Frontera (in Seville) — as staging points for military strikes on Iran.

Spain's position reflects a broader reluctance among a number of NATO members to deploy naval forces to the Strait of Hormuz or allow their territory to be used for offensive operations, following Iran's closure of the strait for over a month — a development that has caused significant disruption to global shipping and energy markets.

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez sought to downplay the reports, stating that Spain operates on the basis of "official documents and government positions" rather than leaked internal communications, and emphasising that Spanish cooperation with allies takes place "within the framework of international law."

The UK Dimension: Falklands as Leverage

Britain's position has been more nuanced. The UK initially refused to support offensive operations but subsequently agreed to participate in limited defensive missions following Iranian retaliation against allied assets. Washington's frustration with London's hesitancy has nonetheless reportedly led to the discussion of reversing US neutrality on the Falkland Islands — a long-standing territorial dispute between the UK and Argentina that the US has historically declined to take sides on.

Using Falklands policy as diplomatic leverage would represent a significant escalation in pressure on a key ally, and would be closely watched by both Buenos Aires and London.

Questions Over Feasibility

The leaked email did not specify the existing NATO procedures — if any — under which a member state could be suspended. Legal and constitutional experts have noted that NATO's founding treaty contains no explicit suspension mechanism, raising immediate questions about whether any such measure could actually be implemented, or whether it represents frustration rather than a concrete plan.

NATO itself has not commented publicly on the reports. The US has not confirmed the authenticity of the email.

Context: A Frustrated Washington

The broader backdrop is one of growing friction between the United States and several European NATO members over burden-sharing and willingness to support US-led military operations. President Trump has previously threatened a trade embargo on Spain and criticised the country's defence spending commitments, which remain below NATO's 2% of GDP target.

The Iran crisis has sharpened those tensions considerably. From Washington's perspective, the refusal of key allies to allow base access or contribute offensive naval capability at a moment of acute strategic importance represents a fundamental failure of alliance solidarity. From the European perspective, participating in strikes on Iran — with all the escalation risks that entails — is a decision that goes well beyond the defensive remit most European governments believe NATO was designed for.

How that fundamental disagreement is resolved — or not — will shape the alliance for years to come.

This article is based on reporting from The Olive Press, published April 24, 2026. The Pentagon has not confirmed the authenticity of the internal email. This article reports on the claims as reported; the situation is developing.