Spain shuts its airspace to all US warplanes tied to Iran war
Spain stands its ground as tensions rise between Madrid and Washington over the Iran conflict.
Spain vs US – (Web Desk) – Spain’s left-leaning government has taken a firm stance by closing its skies to American military aircraft conducting missions against Iran — and it’s also refusing to let the US use its bases. Defence Minister Margarita Robles made this clear on Monday, telling reporters that neither the bases nor Spanish airspace are open for anything connected to the conflict in Iran. She was confirming what the newspaper El Pais had already reported.
This decision hasn’t come without consequences. According to El Pais, Spain’s refusal to cooperate has thrown a wrench into US military operations, forcing bomber aircraft to reroute and rethink their logistics as they head toward the Middle East — adding both distance and complexity to their missions.
The transit or landing of planes is allowed only in case of an emergency, the newspaper said.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has emerged as the highest-profile Western leader to consistently oppose the war, launched by US-Israeli strikes on February 28 and which has since engulfed the entire Middle East.
His stance has infuriated Spain’s traditional NATO ally, with US President Donald Trump threatening to cut trade ties in their latest policy clash.
Trump Threatens Iran Over Qatar Energy Facility Strikes
Spain had already sparked Trump’s anger by refusing to agree to raise NATO defence spending to five percent of member states’ GDP as demanded by the US president.
Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.