Spain closes airspace to US warplanes in Iran operation

Spain won’t allow American aircraft involved in the U.S.-Israeli war in Iran to fly in its airspace, a move likely to further drive a wedge between the two NATO allies. 

Madrid said March 1 it would not allow Washington to use its air bases for military operations in Iran, deeming the attacks a violation of international law.

Now the country has taken it a step further and won’t “authorize either the use of military bases or the use of airspace for actions related to the war in Iran,” Defense Minister Margarita Robles told reporters in Madrid on Monday, as reported by The Independent. 

The closure means U.S. warplanes must reroute any flights flying over Spain on the way to locations in the Middle East.

“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,” Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo said in an interview with radio Cadena Ser. 

President Trump has lashed out at European allies over their refusal to assist in the war in Iran, earlier this month threatening to cut off all trade with Spain over its decision to bar the U.S. military from using its bases. 

“Spain has been terrible,” Trump told reporters at the White House during a meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, adding that he told Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to “cut off all dealings” with Madrid.

Since Spain’s leadership has barred the U.S. planes bound for the Middle East from its bases, Washington has relocated 15 aircraft from the Rota and Morón military bases in the southern part of the country.

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), a staunch supporter of the war, has urged Trump to pull even more U.S. military assets from Spain.

“Mr. President, I think America’s interests would be well-served to move those aircraft from Spain to a country that we can actually rely on in a time of great need,” he wrote on the social platform X. “I trust your judgement.”

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, however, has refused to back down from his stance in the face of a trade embargo.

“We are not going to be complicit in something that is bad for the world and is also contrary to our values and interests, just out of fear of reprisals from someone,” he said in a televised address on the war in Iran.

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