Spain has closed its airspace to US planes involved in attacks on Iran, expanding its earlier decision to deny the use of jointly operated military bases, Defence Minister Margarita Robles said on Monday.
“We don’t authorise either the use of military bases or the use of airspace for actions related to the war in Iran,” Robles told reporters in Madrid.
The move was first reported by Spanish newspaper El Pais, which cited military sources. According to the report, the restriction will force military aircraft to bypass Nato member Spain while travelling to targets in the Middle East. However, the airspace closure does not apply in emergency situations.
Spain’s Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo said the decision reflects the government’s broader stance against the conflict. “This decision is part of the decision already made by the Spanish government not to participate in or contribute to a war which was initiated unilaterally and against international law,” he said in an interview with radio Cadena Ser, responding to concerns about potential fallout with the United States.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has been among the most vocal critics of the US and Israeli strikes on Iran, describing them as reckless and illegal.
US President Donald Trump has warned of possible economic consequences, threatening to cut trade with Madrid after Spain denied access to its military bases for operations linked to the conflict.
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DISPUTE LINKED TO IRAN WAR
Tensions erupted between Washington and Madrid escalated after Spain’s government criticised the US-Israeli war on Iran, describing it as reckless and illegal.
Spain’s left-leaning government under Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez also barred US aircraft from using jointly operated air and naval bases in southern Spain for operations related to the offensive against Iran.
The move angered Trump, who earlier threatened to impose a full trade embargo on Spain and criticised the country for failing to meet Nato’s new defence spending target of 5 per cent of national GDP.
Despite the threats, Spanish officials said diplomatic relations between the two countries remain stable.
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