Spain Denies U.S. Use of Military Bases for Iran Operations Amid Diplomatic Tensions

Spain has refused to allow the United States to use its military bases for operations against Iran, leading to a diplomatic dispute with the Trump administration. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez reiterated his government's opposition to the war in Iran, emphasizing Spain's commitment to international law and peace.

The disagreement escalated when U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to cut off all trade with Spain after the country barred the use of its bases for military operations. The White House claimed that Spain had agreed to cooperate with U.S. military efforts, a claim strongly denied by Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares.

Sánchez, in a nationally televised address, criticized the U.S. and Israeli military actions in Iran, warning that the conflict risked "playing Russian roulette" with millions of lives. He compared the situation to past American interventions in Iraq and Afghanistan, cautioning against another costly military quagmire.

The European Union (EU) has expressed solidarity with Spain, stating it would protect its interests and work to stabilize trade relations with the U.S. The EU negotiates trade on behalf of all its 27 member states, complicating any bid by the U.S. to impose trade restrictions on a single member state.

Spain's main business groups expressed concerns over the trade threat but remain optimistic that their trade relations will not be affected. Spain's exports and imports with the U.S. accounted for 4.4% of its gross domestic product, making it less vulnerable to Trump's threats than other European nations.