US Mulls Expelling Spain from NATO Over Iran War Stance; Britain Also in Washington's Crosshairs: Reuters Reports

Washington DC: The United States is preparing punitive measures against NATO member states that have refused to support its military campaign against Iran, with Reuters reporting that the Pentagon is considering expelling Spain from the alliance. The development came to light after internal Pentagon emails to officials were leaked, revealing the deliberations.

NATO has clarified, however, that its founding treaty contains no provision for expelling or revoking the membership of a member state under existing law.

Spain drew Washington's ire after Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez explicitly stated that Spanish air and naval bases would not be made available for use in strikes against Iran. Britain, which has refused to participate in the naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, is also facing American pressure — with the Pentagon reportedly suggesting that Washington should reconsider its support for British sovereignty over the Falkland Islands and give weight to Argentina's territorial claims instead.

President Donald Trump has accused NATO countries of failing to help the US and Israel counter Iran and of being unwilling to help remove the obstruction at the Strait of Hormuz. The moves represent an extraordinary escalation of tensions within the Western alliance, and analysts warn they could precipitate deep and lasting fractures within NATO at a critical moment for global security.