"The North Atlantic Treaty, which established NATO, does not include any provisions for suspending or expelling members from the alliance," an anonymous NATO official told TIME magazine, commenting on reports that the US wanted to suspend Spain's membership. The BBC also cited a similar statement from a NATO official.

The statement came after Reuters reported on 24/4, citing an anonymous US official, that the Pentagon had explored options to sanction NATO allies deemed "uncooperative with Washington" in the attack operation against Iran.

An internal Pentagon email expressed frustration that some allies refused to grant the US access, use of bases, and overflight rights, which are considered minimum levels of cooperation within NATO. The email listed US response options, including the suspension of membership from NATO for "uncooperative" nations, specifically mentioning Spain.

Area displaying member state flags at NATO's headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. *Photo: NATO*

Spain refused to allow the US to use air bases on its territory to conduct airstrikes against Iran, even though Washington has two military facilities in the country.

Commenting on the reports, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez emphasized that Madrid does not operate based on emails but on official US government documents and positions.

Sanchez affirmed that Spain is a "reliable member" of NATO, fully cooperating with allies, but "always within the framework of international law".

Several European Union (EU) leaders attending the bloc's summit in Cyprus on 24/4 also spoke out in defense of Spain.

Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten said he had been informed that "President Trump has new ideas that he can be tough on his own allies, including Spain."

"I will stand with every European member in the alliance. Spain is a full member of NATO and that will not change," Prime Minister Jetten said.

On the same day, a German government spokesperson also stated Berlin's position that "Spain is a NATO member and there is no reason for that to change."

Locations of NATO member states and their year of accession. *Graphic: NWEGEO*

Pentagon spokesperson Kingsley Wilson did not confirm details of the email but stated that the Defense Department would ensure the President has "credible options" to compel allies to fulfill their obligations. She suggested that while the US has "done a lot for NATO, allies are not standing by Washington when needed."

Tensions within NATO escalated after the US and Israel attacked Iran in late February, prompting Tehran to retaliate by closing the Strait of Hormuz, disrupting global energy markets. President Trump repeatedly criticized NATO allies for not being willing to participate more deeply in the operation, viewing the alliance as a "one-way street" from which the US did not benefit.

Thanh Danh (According to TIME, BBC, AFP)