A Pentagon internal email outlines options for the United States to punish NATO allies it considers to have failed in supporting U.S. operations in the war with Iran, Reuters reports.
According to a U.S. official who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity, the options discussed include suspending Spain's participation in NATO, as well as reviewing the U.S. stance on the United Kingdom's claims over the Falkland Islands.
The document expresses frustration over what it describes as a lack of readiness by some allies to grant the U.S. access, base rights, and overflight permissions, which are considered a "key prerequisite for NATO." According to the official, these options are circulating at high levels within the Pentagon.
One of the proposals involves removing "problematic" countries from key positions within NATO.
U.S. President Donald Trump has sharply criticized allies for failing to send naval forces to help open the Strait of Hormuz, which was closed to international navigation after the war began on February 28.
He has also hinted that he is considering the possibility of the U.S. withdrawing from NATO, although the email does not recommend such a step nor the closure of U.S. bases in Europe.
When asked about the email, Pentagon spokesperson Kingsley Wilson said:
"As President Trump has stated, despite everything the United States has done for their NATO allies, they have not stood by us. The Department of Defense will ensure that the president has credible options so that allies are no longer 'paper tigers' but fulfill their duties. We have no further comments on internal discussions regarding this matter."