Spain has closed its airspace to US planes involved in attacks on Iran, Madrid's Defence Minister Margarita Robles has said.
We will not authorise the use of Morón and Rota [military bases] for any acts related to the war in Iran, she stated, adding that Spain had made this clear to the American government from the beginning.
Foreign Affairs Minister José Manuel Albares stated that the aim of the decision was to not do anything that could encourage an escalation in this war.
A White House official remarked that the US military was meeting or surpassing all of its goals under Operation Epic Fury and does not need help from Spain or anyone else.
US President Donald Trump has threatened to impose a full trade embargo on Spain over its opposition to the Iran war.
Since the start of the war in late February, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has been among the most vocal opponents of the US and Israeli attacks on Iran, describing them as reckless and illegal.
Earlier in March, Sánchez confirmed the denial of US access to the two jointly run military bases at Rota and Morón, both in Andalusia.
Last Wednesday, he announced that all flight plans that involved actions related to the operation in Iran were rejected - every single one of them, including those of refuelling aircraft.
We are a sovereign country that does not wish to take part in illegal wars, he emphasized.
Some US bombers involved in operations in Iran are stationed at the RAF Fairford base in Gloucestershire in the UK, where Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer agreed to accommodate them.
Planes taking off from there will have to bypass much of the Iberian peninsula by either flying over the eastern Atlantic or France.
According to Spanish newspaper El País, aircraft will only be permitted to transit through Spain's airspace or land at bases in emergencies.
In a 10-minute televised address on 4 March, the Spanish Prime Minister underscored the government's stance against participation in conflicts, stating a clear no to war.
In a gesture of international cooperation, the Iranian embassy in Spain expressed Tehran's openness to requests from Madrid concerning transit through the Strait of Hormuz, acknowledging Spain’s commitment to international law.
The Strait of Hormuz is critical, with approximately 20% of the world's oil supply passing through it.
Concerns about Iranian drone and missile threats have heightened the situation in the region, contributing to increasing oil prices.
