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Spain closes its airspace to US military aircraft involved in the Iran war
The White House says it doesn't need Spain's help anyway, but the diplomatic tension is clearly mounting
Spain has formally closed its airspace to any US military aircraft involved in operations against Iran in one of the most direct expressions yet of Madrid's refusal to play any part in the conflict.
Defence Minister Margarita Robles confirmed the decision, making it clear that neither of the two jointly run US military bases on Spanish soil would be made available for anything connected to the war.
"We will not authorise the use of Morón and Rota for any acts related to the war in Iran," she said, adding that Spain had "made this clear to the American government from the beginning."
Foreign Affairs Minister José Manuel Albares echoed that position, saying the aim was to "not do anything that could encourage an escalation in this war."
Both bases, located in Andalucía, had already been off limits since earlier in March, but the latest announcement extends that stance to Spanish airspace as a whole.
President of the Spanish Government, Pedro Sánchez, who has been one of the most outspoken critics of the US and Israeli attacks on Iran since the conflict began in late February, went further in describing the extent of Spain's refusals.
"All flight plans that involved actions related to the operation in Iran were rejected, every single one of them, including those of refuelling aircraft," he said.
"We are a sovereign country that does not wish to take part in illegal wars," he added.
The practical consequence is that US bombers, some of which are currently stationed at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire after the UK agreed to host them in early March, will now have to avoid much of the Iberian Peninsula altogether, either by routing over the eastern Atlantic or through French airspace instead. From now on, aircraft will only be permitted to enter Spanish airspace or use the bases in a genuine emergency.
The White House, for its part, appeared unbothered. A spokesperson said on Monday March 30 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."
The tension between Washington and Madrid has been building for weeks. Donald Trump has previously threatened to impose a full trade embargo on Spain over its stance, although that threat has so far not been acted upon.
There may be one diplomatic benefit to Spain's position, however. The Iranian embassy has indicated that Tehran would look favourably on any requests from Madrid regarding transit through the Strait of Hormuz, citing Spain's commitment to international law.
With around 20% of the world's oil supply normally passing through that narrow stretch of water between Iran and the Arabian peninsula, and the threat of drones, missiles and mines having kept it effectively closed for weeks, prices have shot up in Spain.
Image: Artistic representation of Spanish base
