Spain slams White House after unexpected claim about their position on Iran conflict

ByP

Spain and the United States are facing rising diplomatic tensions after conflicting statements about Madrid’s position on U.S. military actions against Iran. American officials suggested that Spain had softened its stance and agreed to cooperate with U.S. operations, but Spanish leaders quickly rejected those claims and insisted their policy has not changed.

The dispute began when Spain’s prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, refused to permit U.S. forces to launch airstrikes on Iran from military bases located on Spanish territory. Sánchez argued that the strikes violated international law and described them as an unjustified and dangerous intervention that Spain could not support.

The decision reportedly frustrated U.S. President Donald Trump, who openly criticized Spain during remarks from the Oval Office. Trump accused the Spanish government of poor leadership and suggested that Washington might consider using Spanish bases even without Madrid’s approval, comments that further strained relations.

Responding to the criticism, Sánchez reaffirmed that Spain would not participate in military actions it believes threaten global stability. Addressing the public, he stressed that Spain would not act against its values or interests simply out of fear of political pressure.

The controversy deepened after White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that Spain had privately agreed to cooperate with the U.S. military following Trump’s warning. Her remarks created confusion about whether Madrid had changed its position behind closed doors.

Spain’s foreign minister, José Manuel Albares, firmly denied the claim in media interviews. He said Spain’s stance on the Middle East conflict and the use of its military bases “has not changed one iota,” directly rejecting the White House statement.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister María Jesús Montero emphasized that Spain would not act as a subordinate to any country when shaping its foreign policy. The disagreement highlights growing divisions between Washington and some European leaders over how to respond to escalating tensions in the Middle East.