The Pentagon has issued a response after a leaked email from a US official reportedly set out potential ways the United States could pressure NATO partners amid fallout from the Iran conflict.
President Donald Trump faced significant criticism from European leaders after deciding to join Israel in strikes against Iran earlier this year (February 28).
Several governments — including the UK, France and Italy — have repeatedly urged de-escalation, as Trump has since moved to extend a ceasefire.
The Republican president has also made clear his frustration with how some NATO allies have reacted to the situation, with the UK’s stance drawing particular attention.
“The United Kingdom, our once great ally, maybe the greatest of them all, is finally giving serious thought to sending two aircraft carriers to the Middle East,” Trump wrote on Truth Social at the beginning of March.
“That’s OK, Prime Minister Starmer, we don’t need them any longer – But we will remember.”
In the wake of that pushback, a Pentagon email has reportedly been leaked, laying out how the Trump administration might seek to “punish” countries it believes did not support the US.
According to Reuters, the memo allegedly discusses options including suspending Spain from the alliance and reassessing America’s position on the UK’s claim to the Falkland Islands.
Pentagon Press Secretary Kingsley Wilson addressed the leak in a statement.
She commented: “As President Trump has said, despite everything that the United States has done for our NATO allies, they were not there for us.
“The War Department will ensure that the President has credible options to ensure that our allies are no longer a paper tiger and instead do their part.”
She added: “We have no further comment on any internal deliberations to that effect.”
The approach described in the email is reportedly intended to send a clear message to NATO partners, with the stated aim of “decreasing the sense of entitlement on the part of the Europeans”.
NATO has also weighed in on the reported memo, with an official telling the BBC it “does not foresee any provision for suspension of NATO membership, or expulsion”.
Even so, while strain between allies appears to remain, a high-profile royal visit has reportedly helped ease tensions between the UK and the US.
In the first official royal trip to the United States since 2007, King Charles and Queen Camilla travelled to Washington to meet President Trump at the White House.
“Time and time again,” the King said in his speech to Congress, “Our two countries have always found ways to come together.”