On Monday, Spain announced the closure of its airspace to US planes involved in attacks on Iran.
Defence Minister Margarita Robles said. “We don’t authorise either the use of military bases or the use of airspace for actions related to the war in Iran," as per News18.
A report by El País daily has stated that Spain’s refusal to cooperate has “complicated" US military operations by forcing bombers to change their routes and logistics on their way to West Asia. This report has been quoted by AFP.
Reportedly, It further said that the transit or landing of planes will be allowed only in case of an emergency.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has consistently opposed the war, launched by US-Israeli strikes on February 28, and which has since engulfed the entire West Asia.
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No justification for war in Iran
The US and Israeli attacks on Iran have been vocally opposed the most by Pedro Sanchez, who has described the attacks as illegal and reckless.
Defence minister Robles said, adding to Sanchez’s stance, “I think everyone knows Spain’s position; it’s very clear,” Robles said, calling the war in Iran “profoundly illegal and profoundly unjust,” as reported by News18.
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Spain-US ties at risk?
Spain’s Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo said in an interview with radio Cadena Ser, “This decision is part of the decision already made by the Spanish government not to participate in or contribute to a war which was initiated unilaterally and against international law”, when asked whether the decision could worsen the ties with the US, as per reports.
However, US President Donald Trump had earlier threatened to slash trade relations with Spain for the closure of its airspace for the war in Iran.
