A diplomatic dispute between the United States and Spain concerning the war in Iran has intensified as the two governments issued conflicting statements regarding the potential use of Spanish military bases by US forces in the Middle East.
Following a White House spokesperson’s statement that the Spanish government had agreed to support US operations, Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares firmly denied any change in Spain’s position. “I can refute the claims made by the White House spokesperson,” Albares stated on the Spanish radio station Cadena Ser. “The position of the Spanish government on the war in the Middle East, the bombing of Iran, and the use of our bases has not changed in any way.”
This disagreement originated on Tuesday, when US President Donald Trump announced intentions to “cut off all trade with Spain” in response to Albares’s statement that Spain would not permit the US to use jointly operated military bases in southern Spain for any actions not authorised by the United Nations charter. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez reiterated that his government would not participate in activities that are detrimental to global stability.
On Wednesday evening, Minister Albares reaffirmed that there had been no reconsideration of Spain’s stance on the use of military bases, shortly after White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said, “Regarding Spain, I believe they have received the president’s message clearly. It is my understanding that they have agreed to cooperate with the US military, and I know that US military personnel are coordinating with their counterparts in Spain.”
Sánchez, who is viewed as one of Europe’s last significant progressive leaders, has characterised the US and Israeli military actions against Iran as “unjustifiable” and “dangerous.”
Sánchez once again criticised the military actions of the US and Israel in Iran during a nationally televised address on Wednesday. Although he did not mention Trump by name, Sánchez firmly opposed trade threats from Washington and warned that the ongoing war in the Middle East could risk “playing Russian roulette” with millions of lives. “We are not going to be complicit in something that is harmful to the world and contradicts our values and interests, simply out of fear of reprisals,” Sánchez stated.
He expressed concern that attacks on Iran might lead to another costly military quagmire in the Middle East, reminiscent of past American interventions in Iraq and Afghanistan. “In short, the position of the government of Spain can be summarised in four words,” Sánchez asserted: “No to the war.”
After Spain denied the US the use of its bases, Trump remarked on Tuesday, “We could use their base if we want,” referring to the Rota and Morón installations in southern Spain that are shared by the US and Spain but remain under Spanish command. “We could just fly in and use it,” Trump added. “Nobody’s going to tell us not to use it, but we don’t have to.”
However, it is unclear how Trump would cut trade with Spain, an EU member that handles trade for all 27 member states. In a CNBC interview, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said a trade embargo against Spain would require a joint effort, although he did not elaborate. He noted that Spain’s refusal to let the US use its bases during the recent attack on Iran endangered American lives.
“Anything that slows down our ability to engage and prosecute this war in the fastest, most effective manner puts American lives at risk,” Bessent said. “The Spanish put American lives at risk.”
In Spain, major business groups are concerned about these threats, noting the US as a vital economic and political partner. A report from Spain’s central bank revealed that the country is somewhat insulated from tariffs compared to the EU average.
Spain’s position on the Iran conflict has also strained its relationship with the Trump administration. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has criticised the Israel-Hamas war and faced backlash from Trump after Spain opted out of NATO’s commitment to increase defence spending to 5% of GDP.
This article used information from The Associated Press.
