Spain has closed its airspace to US military aircraft involved in strikes on Iran, Defense Minister Margarita Robles said on Monday, March 30.
“We don’t authorize either the use of military bases or the use of airspace for actions related to the war in Iran,” Robles said, according to Reuters.
The move expands Spain’s earlier decision to deny US access to jointly operated military bases for operations linked to the conflict.
Tensions with Washington grow
The decision forces US military aircraft to bypass Spain when flying to the Middle East, though exceptions remain for emergency situations, according to El Pais.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has been among the most vocal European critics of US and Israeli strikes on Iran, describing them as “reckless and illegal.”
Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo said the airspace closure reflects Madrid’s position not to participate in a war “initiated unilaterally and against international law.”
US President Donald Trump has warned that Washington could cut trade ties with Spain over its refusal to allow access to military bases.
The latest move adds to growing tensions between the two NATO allies as the war involving Iran continues to expand.