A leaked Pentagon email has sent shockwaves through NATO, revealing US plans to punish Spain for its refusal to support the American-Israeli military campaign against Iran. The email, first reported by Reuters, suggested suspending Spain from the alliance, though NATO treaties contain no provision for expulsion and any such move requires unanimous consent.
EU leaders meeting in Cyprus rushed to Spain's defense. Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten stated he wanted to be "crystal clear" that Spain remains a full NATO member. A senior German official echoed this, saying there is no reason for change. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, once seen as a Trump ally, criticized the tensions as "not at all positive" and denied US use of Italian bases for Iran operations.
US President Donald Trump is reportedly furious with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who called the strikes on Iran illegal under international law, denied US access to joint bases, and refused Trump's demand to boost defense spending to 5% of GDP. Trump has threatened trade sanctions against Madrid.
The rift extends beyond Spain. Trump has also lashed out at UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer over limited support for the Iran campaign, and the Pentagon delayed delivery of HIMARS systems to Estonia, a key Baltic ally. French President Emmanuel Macron accused Trump of "hollowing out" NATO, while Polish PM Donald Tusk questioned whether the US would honor Article 5 in an attack.
Former NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg warned that the alliance's survival is not guaranteed in ten years if tensions persist. He noted that the US benefits from allies, as together they represent 50% of global economic and military power. However, European leaders increasingly see the US as unreliable, with some exploring the EU's mutual defense clause as a backup.
The core disagreement lies in approach: European governments favor diplomacy and sanctions against Iran, while the US insists on military action. This fundamental divide, coupled with Trump's transactional view of NATO, threatens to fracture the transatlantic alliance ahead of the July summit.
Source: www.bbc.com