Nato rules out expelling members amid report US weighed action against Spain

Nato has said its founding treaty contains no mechanism to suspend or expel member states, after reports suggested the United States had considered punitive measures against Spain over its stance on the Iran war.

A Nato official told the BBC that the alliance’s charter “does not foresee any provision for suspension of Nato membership, or expulsion,” effectively dismissing speculation triggered by a reported internal Pentagon memo.

According to Reuters, the memo outlined possible steps to penalise allies seen by Washington as failing to support its military campaign alongside Israel against Iran. Among the options discussed were limiting countries’ influence within the alliance and reassessing longstanding US diplomatic positions.

Spain’s Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, rejected the report, saying his government acts only on formal communications.

“We do not work based on emails. We work with official documents and official positions taken… by the government of the United States,” he said. He added that Spain remained committed to cooperation with allies “within the framework of international law”.

Madrid has refused to allow its territory to be used for strikes on Iran, despite hosting US military bases at Rota and Morón.

Tensions within the alliance have intensified since the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran in February, followed by disruptions to global shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly criticised Nato allies for what he describes as insufficient support, calling the alliance a “one-way street”.

The reported Pentagon document also suggested reconsidering US backing for European territorial claims, including the UK’s sovereignty over the Falkland Islands a long-disputed British overseas territory claimed by Argentina.

In London, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said deeper involvement in the conflict, including participation in a US-led blockade of Iranian ports, was not in the UK’s national interest. However, Britain has allowed US forces to use its bases for strikes and has contributed to defensive operations.

Elsewhere in Europe, leaders sought to play down divisions. Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni urged unity, describing Nato as a “source of strength”, while a German government spokesperson said Spain’s membership “is not in question”.

The Pentagon has not publicly confirmed the contents of the memo, but a spokesperson said the US would ensure the president has “credible options” to press allies to increase their contribution.

Despite the diplomatic strain, officials stressed that there is no suggestion Washington is considering withdrawing from Nato or closing its military bases in Europe.