Spain’s Prime Minister has issued a sharp response after Donald Trump threatened to restrict trade ties, following Spain’s criticism of US and Israeli strikes on Iran.
The US and Israel began a new round of attacks on the Middle Eastern nation on February 28, after talks over Iran’s nuclear program failed to produce an agreement.
Iranian state leadership has been hit hard, with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei reported killed in the strikes, along with other senior figures.
The bombardment has also led to significant civilian deaths. One reported strike hit a school, killing 165 children and teachers.
As the conflict has escalated, Trump has publicly singled out Spain for condemning US action in Iran.
“Spain has been terrible. In fact I told Scott [likely Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent] to cut off all dealings with Spain.
“First of all, it started when every European nation at my request paid 5 percent which they should be doing, and everybody was enthusiastic about it, Germany, everybody, and Spain didn’t do it. And now Spain actually said that we can’t use their bases.
“That’s alright, we can use their base if we want we can just fly in and use it, nobody’s gonna tell us not to use it.”
Pedro Sánchez has now pushed back, reiterating his government’s opposition to the strikes and framing the issue as one of legality and peace.
“It’s unacceptable that some presidents use the fog of war to cover up their failures,” he in a speech from the prime minister’s residence in La Moncloa.
“The question is not if we are on the side of the ayatollahs – nobody is. The question is whether we are in favour of peace and international legality.”
He added: “The government’s position can be summed up in four words: No to war.”
In Spanish, the phrase “no to war” translates to “no a la guerra,” which is why Sánchez referred to it as four words.
Spain’s stance has been echoed by other senior officials. Foreign minister José Manuel Albares said Spain would not allow US forces to use bases on Spanish soil to conduct strikes.
“I want to be very clear and very plain. The bases are not being used – nor will they be used – for anything that is not in the agreement [with the US], nor for anything that isn’t covered by the UN charter,” the foreign minister said.
Defense minister Margarita Robles also pointed to the existing basing agreement with Washington, saying that any operations involving the facilities must align with international legal frameworks and have international backing.