NATO stated that there are "no provisions" for expelling allies after reports of US discussions regarding Spain
Kyiv • UNN
There are no provisions in NATO's founding treaty for expelling countries. The US is dissatisfied with Spain's refusal to provide bases for attacks on Iranian targets.
NATO states that there are no provisions in the alliance's founding treaty for the suspension or expulsion of member states from the military alliance, following reports that the US may seek to suspend Spain's membership over its stance on the war with Iran, UNN reports with reference to the BBC.
Details
A NATO representative told the publication that the organization's founding treaty "does not provide for any provisions for the suspension of NATO membership or expulsion."
The Spanish leader also denied the report.
Donald Trump has repeatedly criticized NATO allies for their unwillingness to play a more active role after the US and Israel attacked Iran in late February, and Iran subsequently restricted shipping through the key Strait of Hormuz.
Spain refused to allow the use of airbases on its territory for attacks on Iran. The US has two military bases in Spain: Rota Naval Base and Morón Air Base.
Pedro Sánchez told reporters: "We don't work on the basis of emails. We work with official documents and the official position that, in this case, the United States government holds."
Sánchez added that Spain supports "full cooperation with its allies, but always within the framework of international law."
Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer insists that more active involvement in the war or the current US blockade of Iranian ports is not in Britain's interest. The UK has allowed the US to use British bases to strike Iranian targets aimed at the Strait of Hormuz, and Royal Air Force aircraft have participated in missions to shoot down Iranian drones.
The UK, France, and other countries have stated their readiness to keep the Strait of Hormuz open after a long-term truce or the end of the war.
Last month, Trump said he had always considered NATO a "one-way street." "We will protect them, but they will do nothing for us," he wrote.
On Friday, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called on NATO allies to stick together after the Pentagon memorandum was published, saying the alliance was a source of strength.
"We must work to strengthen the European pillar of NATO... which must clearly complement the American one," she told reporters at the EU summit in Cyprus.
A German government spokesman said Spain's membership was not in doubt.
"Spain is a member of NATO. And I see no reason why that should change," the spokesman said at a regular press conference in Berlin.
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