Spain closes the country’s airspace to US planes involved in the Iran war
AP News • • nation
Key Points:
- Spain has closed its airspace to U.S. military planes involved in the Iran conflict and denied use of jointly operated military bases, citing the war as "profoundly illegal and profoundly unjust," according to Defense Minister Margarita Robles.
- Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has condemned the conflict, calling for an end to the war and criticizing responses that escalate illegality, while also opposing increased defense spending pressured by the U.S.
- The U.S. previously threatened to cut trade with Spain after Madrid restricted American military access to bases and resisted NATO defense spending targets, highlighting tensions in transatlantic relations.
- Spain’s stance marks a rare move against a NATO ally, with no official NATO comment, though historical precedents exist where European countries limited U.S. military overflights or access during conflicts.
- Sánchez has also been a vocal critic of Israel’s actions in Gaza, further straining relations with Israel and underscoring Spain’s broader opposition to U.S. and Israeli involvement in Middle East conflicts.
