General view of the Pentagon building in Arlington, Virginia on September 14, 2021. A leaked email shows the US is drafting punitive measures against allies who refused to support the war on Iran. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds AFP)
📡 Leaked Pentagon Email Exposes Plans to ‘Punish’ Reluctant Allies
An internal Pentagon email has outlined a series of punitive options against NATO allies who refused to support the US-led war effort against Iran. The document, confirmed by a US official speaking to Reuters, explicitly targets Spain for “suspension” from the alliance over its refusal to provide basing and overflight access .
The email, circulating at high levels of the Pentagon, expresses intense frustration that key allies denied the United States “Access, Basing and Overflight rights (ABO),” which it described as “just the absolute baseline for NATO” . In response to queries, a Pentagon spokesperson stated that the War Department will ensure President Trump has “credible options to ensure that our allies are no longer a paper tiger” .
🇪🇸 Spain in the Crosshairs: A ‘Symbolic’ Suspension
Spain has emerged as the primary target of US anger. The Spanish Socialist government, led by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, refused to allow the use of its airspace or the joint bases at Rota and Morón for offensive strikes against Iran . In response, the Pentagon memo suggests suspending Madrid from the alliance. While officials admit such a move would have a “limited effect” on actual military logistics, they argue it would carry a “significant symbolic impact” and send a warning to other “difficult” allies .
When asked about the report, Prime Minister Sánchez attempted to downplay the leak, stating, “We do not work off emails. We work off official documents and government positions, in this case of the United States” . However, Spain remains firmly opposed to the conflict. Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares has reaffirmed that Madrid “does not want a war, but to join the international community in demanding that this armed conflict end as soon as possible” .
🇪🇺 Europe’s Pivot and the China Factor
The rift over the Iran war is accelerating a strategic divergence beyond the immediate conflict. Trump officials have long accused Europe of a “sense of entitlement,” and one senior official noted that the email’s options are intended to “decrease” that feeling .
This breakdown in trust is coinciding with a noticeable pivot toward Beijing. Amid fears of a “double chokepoint” crisis in the Strait of Hormuz and potential energy supply shocks, the EU is increasingly looking to de-risk from US policy. In a sign of this shift, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz recently discussed new trade agreements with China, while Spanish Prime Minister Sánchez is preparing for his fourth visit to Beijing in three years .
An EU official, speaking on the state of transatlantic alignment and the lack of a unified China strategy, conceded, “We are all over the place” .
⚖️ The Falklands ‘Pressure Card’ Against Britain
The draft punitive measures are not limited to Spain. The memo also suggests reassessing US diplomatic support for “imperial possessions,” explicitly mentioning the Falkland Islands, which are claimed by Argentina .
This is a direct pressure tactic aimed at London. President Trump has consistently attacked UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, mocking him as having “no courage” and comparing him unfavorably to Winston Churchill . While the UK has supported some defensive operations, it refused to join the initial offensive strikes on Iran, drawing sustained White House ire. The threat to withdraw recognition of British sovereignty over the South Atlantic islands represents a significant diplomatic escalation intended to force European concessions.
⚔️ Future of the Alliance: ‘Paper Tigers’ No More?
The internal document confirms a fundamental shift in how the Trump administration views NATO, moving from a collective security bloc to a transactional alliance where benefits are contingent on immediate military support. Despite Trump’s repeated threats to leave NATO entirely, the email does not suggest a US withdrawal, nor does it propose shuttering bases in Europe .
However, with the administration already moving to pull Patriot missile batteries from bases in countries like Germany and redirecting them to the Middle East, the alliance is bracing for what one official described as a “long-term” realignment of security obligations.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Why is the US threatening to suspend Spain from NATO?
Spain refused to grant the US military access to its airspace and two key bases (Rota and Morón) for offensive strikes during the Iran war. Washington views this refusal as a failure to meet the “absolute baseline” of NATO obligations .
Q2: Can the US actually kick Spain out of NATO?
It is legally unclear. The NATO treaty does not contain a specific mechanism for expelling a member state. However, the US could effectively suspend Spain from strategic planning meetings, intelligence sharing, and leadership positions within the alliance’s command structure .
Q3: Are there other punitive options besides suspending Spain?
Yes. The memo also suggests reviewing the US stance on the UK’s claim to the Falkland Islands (potentially favoring Argentina) and pulling US forces out of “unhelpful” countries .