Spain has officially closed its airspace to US military planes involved in attacks on Iran, a move that goes further than its previous refusal to allow the use of jointly-operated military bases, Defence Minister Margarita Robles said on Monday.
“We don’t authorize 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 news was first reported by Spanish newspaper El Pais, citing military sources.
The decision forces US military aircraft to reroute around Spanish territory when en route to targets in the Middle East, although exceptions remain for emergency situations, according to El Pais.
Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo said the move is part of the Spanish government’s broader stance of not participating in what it sees as a unilateral war conducted “against international law.” He acknowledged that the decision could strain relations with the United States, noting that it reflects Spain’s legal and ethical position rather than a diplomatic provocation.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has been a vocal critic of US and Israeli attacks on Iran, describing them as reckless and illegal. President Donald Trump has previously threatened to cut trade with Madrid in response to Spain’s refusal to allow US use of its military bases for the conflict.
The closure underscores growing tensions between NATO allies over involvement in the Middle East and signals Spain’s determination to maintain a neutral position in the escalating Iran conflict.
Melissa Enoch
