The Pentagon is considering options for measures through which the US could punish NATO allies who did not support American operations in the war against Iran.
This was reported by Reuters, citing its own sources.
Among them are suspending Spain’s membership in the Alliance and revising the US position on British sovereignty over the Falkland Islands.
The policy options are outlined in a memo prepared by Elbridge Colby, the Pentagon’s top policy adviser. According to the publication’s sources, Colby expressed frustration over the alleged unwillingness or refusal of some allies to grant the US access, basing rights, and overflight rights for a war with Iran.
Trump administration officials emphasize that NATO cannot be a ‘one-way street.’ .They have expressed disappointment with Spain, whose leadership has stated that it will not allow its bases or airspace to be used for strikes against Iran. The US has two important military bases in Spain: the Rota Naval Base and the Morón Air Base.
This decision forced the Pentagon to urgently change the logistics of the entire operation. About fifteen KC-135 tanker aircraft were forced to relocate from Spain to France and Germany.
In addition, Washington had to find new locations to station B-52 and B-1 strategic bombers, which the United Kingdom ultimately accepted at Fairford Air Base.
The letter states that the option of suspending Spain’s membership in the Alliance would have a limited impact on US military operations but a significant symbolic effect. At the same time, it does not disclose exactly how the US could seek to suspend Spain’s membership in the Alliance.
One of the options outlined in the letter also involves removing ‘difficult’ countries from important or prestigious positions within NATO. However, according to the publication, the letter does not propose the US withdrawing from the Alliance. Nor does it mention closing bases in Europe.
“As President Trump said, despite everything the United States has done for our NATO allies, they have not stood by us,” said Pentagon Press Secretary Kingsley Wilson in response to a request to comment on the letter.
As a reminder, the United Kingdom and France have initiated the creation of a multinational coalition to restore shipping in the Strait of Hormuz once peace is achieved. It is designed to protect merchant ships and ensure mine clearance. According to US estimates, the complete clearance of mines in the Strait of Hormuz will take six months.
The Ukrainian Navy is ready to join the demining of the Strait of Hormuz with two ships from the mine countermeasures division, which is currently based in Portsmouth, UK.
This was reported by Ukrainian Navy spokesperson Dmytro Pletenchuk in a comment to Militarnyi. According to him, the Navy’s position is that it is fully prepared to provide the necessary assistance and directly participate in the demining of the strait if Ukraine receives a corresponding invitation.
