The United States is reportedly considering punitive measures against several NATO allies accused of providing insufficient support during the ongoing Iran war. According to a Pentagon internal email cited by a US official, Washington is dissatisfied with some member states that denied base access or closed their airspace, limiting the US military’s operational flexibility. The email outlines potential strategies and describes access, basing, and overflight rights as fundamental expectations within NATO.

The document also mentions possible actions such as removing uncooperative countries from key alliance positions and even discusses Spain’s potential expulsion from NATO, though a NATO official noted that the founding treaty includes no provision for suspension or expulsion. Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez reaffirmed his country’s commitment to the alliance, dismissing internal emails as non-policy. A Pentagon spokesperson said the administration is exploring realistic options to make NATO more effective and accountable.

Analysts cited in the report suggest the debate exposes renewed tensions over trust and burden-sharing within NATO, potentially marking one of the most serious internal strains in the alliance’s 76-year history.