BREAKING: NATO in Internal Storm as US Reportedly Moves Against Spain Over Iran War—Alliance Rules Out Expulsion Powers

Tensions have erupted inside North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) after reports suggested the United States considered possible measures against Spain over its stance on the Iran conflict, triggering fresh debate about unity within the powerful military alliance.

The controversy began after Reuters cited a US official who said an internal Pentagon email had floated ideas on how Washington could respond to allies seen as not fully supporting its military campaign.

Among the reported suggestions were ways to reassess cooperation standards within NATO and apply diplomatic pressure on non-compliant members.

However, NATO quickly moved to calm fears, stating clearly that its founding treaty does not allow for the suspension or expulsion of any member state

. A NATO official told the BBC that such a mechanism simply does not exist, shutting down speculation that Spain could face removal from the alliance.

Spain has also strongly rejected the claims. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said his government does not operate based on leaked communications, insisting that Spain only responds to official diplomatic channels.

He reaffirmed Spain’s commitment to cooperation with allies but stressed it must remain within international law.

The reported US memo has intensified concerns about growing friction between Washington and several European NATO members.

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has accused European allies of failing to contribute enough to operations linked to the Iran conflict, while US President Donald Trump has repeatedly criticised NATO as a “one-way street.”

Spain, which hosts key US military bases including Rota and Morón, has refused to allow its territory to be used for attacks on Iran, highlighting the policy divide within the alliance.

Despite the tension, European leaders including Germany and Italy moved quickly to defend NATO unity, insisting that Spain’s membership is not in question and urging cooperation among allies.

The dispute underscores deeper cracks inside NATO over burden-sharing, global conflict response, and strategic priorities as the war involving Iran continues to raise global security concerns.

For many observers, the situation signals a growing test of unity for NATO at a time when geopolitical pressure is increasing across Europe and beyond.