Spain has closed its airspace to US planes involved in attacks on Iran, Madrid's defense minister Margarita Robles has said.
We will not authorize the use of Moron and Rota [military bases] for any acts related to the war in Iran, she stated, emphasizing that this stance was communicated to the US government from the outset.
Foreign affairs minister José Manuel Albares highlighted that the decision aims to prevent actions that might exacerbate the ongoing war.
The US administration has yet to respond; however, President Trump has previously threatened to impose a full trade embargo on Spain due to its opposition to the Iran conflict.
Since the war’s inception in late February, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has vocally criticized US and Israeli military actions against Iran, labeling them as reckless and illegal. Earlier in March, he confirmed that Spain had denied the US access to the two military bases at Rota and Morón for any operations concerning Iran.
Sánchez insisted on a firm stance against what he terms illegal wars, stating that all flight plans connected to military operations in Iran had been rejected. This includes plans for refueling and support aircraft.
Spanish newspaper El País noted that US aircraft may only transit through Spain's airspace in emergencies.
In a recent address, Sánchez articulated Spain’s position against war, highlighting public sentiment regarding conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, along with historical lessons from wars such as Iraq.
The Iranian embassy in Spain has suggested willingness to address transit requests through the Strait of Hormuz, appreciating Spain's commitment to international law, amidst rising concerns over oil supply disruptions due to potential Iranian military actions in the area.
The situation has already caused oil prices to surge, as fears of conflict biting into a significant portion of the world’s oil supply persist.
