Image Credentials: Image Title: Pentagon weighs measures against NATO allies over Iran war, including possible suspension of Spain. Source: (chatgpt.com) Date: April 2026. Attribution: This image was created using AI-generated imagery (chatgpt.com) by Open Chronicle and does not depict a real-world scene.
Open Chronicle | Defense & Geopolitics
An internal U.S. defense memo has revealed growing tensions within NATO, as officials in Washington consider punitive measures against allies accused of failing to support American operations during the ongoing conflict with Iran.
According to a U.S. official cited by Reuters, an internal email circulating at senior levels within the Pentagon outlines a range of policy options aimed at pressuring allies. Among the proposals is the potential suspension of Spain from key NATO roles, a move described as largely symbolic but politically significant.
The document reflects frustration in the administration of Donald Trump over what it sees as insufficient support from European partners. In particular, officials have criticized allies for not contributing naval forces to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route that has remained closed since the outbreak of war on February 28.
At the center of the dispute is the issue of access, basing, and overflight rights, known as ABO. U.S. officials argue that such cooperation represents the minimum expectation within the alliance, especially during major military operations.
One of the more controversial ideas in the memo involves reassessing U.S. diplomatic backing for longstanding territorial claims held by European allies. This includes reviewing Washington’s position on the Falkland Islands, a British-administered territory still claimed by Argentina.
The proposals come as relations between Washington and several NATO capitals grow increasingly strained. Spain has been singled out after its government declined to allow U.S. forces to use its bases and airspace for offensive operations against Iran. The United States maintains key installations in Spain, including Naval Station Rota and Morón Air Base.
Speaking ahead of a European Union meeting, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez dismissed the report, stating that his government responds only to official policy positions, not internal communications.
The debate highlights broader concerns about the future cohesion of NATO, a 76-year-old alliance that has faced renewed scrutiny amid the Iran conflict. While countries such as the United Kingdom and France have expressed willingness to help secure maritime routes after a ceasefire, they have been reluctant to join active combat operations, arguing that doing so would escalate the war.
Trump has repeatedly criticized allies for what he describes as a lack of burden-sharing and has even raised the possibility of the United States withdrawing from NATO, though the internal memo does not propose such a step.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently acknowledged that the war has exposed divisions within the alliance, warning that reluctance among partners undermines its credibility.
As the conflict continues, the internal debate within Washington underscores a shifting dynamic in transatlantic relations, with questions growing over how far the United States is willing to go to compel allied support.