Sanchez Dismisses Pentagon NATO Suspension Threat
The Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez, has said he is “not worried” after a leaked Pentagon report suggested the US is considering suspending Spain from NATO for failing to support American operations in the war with Iran.
According to the leaked report, cited by the Reuters news agency, an internal Pentagon email outlines possible measures targeting those NATO allies perceived as uncooperative. Among the options are suspending Spain from NATO as well as review of the UK´s sovereignty of the Falkland Islands.
The Iran conflict has caused considerable tension within the alliance with Spain – along with Italy and France – not permitting the use of their bases for US aircraft to conduct military operations against Iran.
Indeed the Spanish Prime Minister has gone further claiming the attack is a breach of international law.
“The situation in the Middle East and the crisis caused by this war demonstrate the failure of brute force and the importance of safeguarding and strengthening the international order,” Sánchez said
Responding to the suspension reports Sanchez said that: “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.”
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.
Trump has repeatedly threatened to expel Spain from NATO; however, the treaty does not provide for any provision for expulsion of member states though there is the option under Article 13 leaving voluntarily.
NATO was founded in 1949 and Spain became a member in 1982 though it has hosted US bases in the country since the 1950s.
