Spain has renewed its criticism of the United States after the White House claimed the country had softened its opposition to the war on Iran and was now working alongside the US military.
The latest flare-up in the growing dispute between Madrid and Washington emerged late Wednesday night, following days of friction between Spain’s prime minister Pedro Sánchez and US President Donald Trump over whether American forces can use airbases located in Spain.
On Sunday, Sánchez barred the US from launching airstrikes from Spanish bases, arguing that the continuing attack on Iran breaches international law and calling it “an unjustified and dangerous military intervention.”
Trump responded angrily, attacking Spain’s leadership and threatening to halt trade unless Spain reversed course.
He then went further, implying that the US could still make use of the bases regardless of whether Spain approved it.
That escalation prompted Sánchez to speak to the public on Wednesday morning. “We are not going to be accomplices to something that is bad for the world and contrary to our values and interests, simply because of fear of reprisals from some,” he said.
He also said Spain would continue ‘demanding the end of hostilities’ and reiterated a slogan he framed as central to Spain’s position: “No a la guerra” — “No to war.”
Spain had backed the 2003 US invasion of Iraq, which Sánchez said had “provoked a drastic increase in jihadist terrorism, a severe migration crisis in the eastern Mediterranean.” He added, “Another American administration dragged us into a war in the Middle East.”
Against that backdrop, he signalled he would not intensify the situation or support what he viewed as an unjust campaign.
Despite Spain’s position being repeatedly stated, a new claim surfaced Wednesday afternoon when White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt suggested there had been a shift.
“I think they heard the president’s message yesterday loud and clear,” she said. “It is my understanding over the past several hours they’ve agreed to cooperate with the US military.”
Spain quickly disputed that account. Foreign minister José Manuel Albares dismissed the suggestion and insisted there had been no change. “That’s not true,” he said during a radio appearance later circulated Wednesday evening by the Spanish government. “We categorically deny it. Spain’s position has not changed.”