Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Friday said he was "not worried" after a report suggested the US is considering expelling Spain from NATO for failing to support American operations in the war with Iran.
According to a US official cited by Reuters news agency, an internal Pentagon email outlines possible measures targeting NATO allies perceived as uncooperative. Among the options are suspending Spain from NATO and a review of the US stance on Britain's claim to the Falkland Islands, the official said.
Spain — along with Italy and France — did not allow US aircraft to use its bases or airspace to attack Iran. Sanchez was also one of the few European leaders to criticize the US-Israeli attack on Tehran that sparked the war, condemning it as a breach of international law.
"We do not work off emails. We work off official documents and government positions, in this case of the United States," Sanchez told reporters when asked about the report ahead of an EU leaders summit in Cyprus.
"The Spanish government's position is clear — absolute cooperation with the allies, but always within the framework of international legality," he said.
"Spain is a reliable member within NATO," Sanchez added. "As a result, I am absolutely not worried."
Given that NATO operates by consensus, it is not clear how a potential suspension would work, as there is no mechanism to allow for such a step.
According to NATO officials, the NATO treaty contains no provision for the suspension or expulsion of one of the alliance's members.
When asked about the reported Pentagon email, a German government spokesperson said Spain's NATO membership was not in question.
"Spain is a member of NATO. And I see no reason why that should change," the spokesperson said.
Meanwhile, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said NATO "must remain united."
"We must work to strengthen NATO's European pillar ... which must clearly complement the American one," she added.
