Spain has closed its airspace to U.S. planes involved within the Iran war, Defense Minister Margarita Robles said Monday, marking one other step within the country’s opposition to the U.S. and Israel’s conflict within the Middle East.
Spain had already said the U.S. couldn’t use jointly operated military bases within the Iran conflict, which Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has described as illegal, reckless and unjust.
Defense Minister Robles said Monday the identical logic applied to the usage of Spanish airspace within the conflict.
“This was made perfectly clear to the American military and forces from the very starting. Subsequently, neither the bases are authorized, nor, in fact, is the usage of Spanish airspace authorized for any actions related to the war in Iran,” Robles told reporters. Spanish newspaper El Pais first reported the closure of Spain’s airspace, citing military sources.
Spain’s government under Sánchez has been Europe’s loudest opposing voice against U.S. and Israeli military actions within the Middle East.
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After Sánchez’s government denied the U.S. use of the Rota and Morón military bases in southern Spain, U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to chop trade with Madrid.
Sánchez was also amongst probably the most vocal critics of Israel’s actions in its war in Gaza.
“I believe everyone knows Spain’s position; it’s very clear,” Robles said, calling the war in Iran “profoundly illegal and profoundly unjust.”
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