Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez condemned US-Israeli strikes on Iran and refused to allow American forces to use Spanish bases for attacks on Tehran, prompting Trump to break trade relations.
Spain’s Position on Military Action
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, one of the first European leaders to condemn US and Israel’s bombings of Iran, refused to allow US forces to use jointly managed military bases in Rota and Morón for attacks on Tehran. In response on Tuesday (March 3), Donald Trump announced the termination of trade relations with Spain.
Sanchez’s National Address
The following day – Wednesday March 4 – Sanchez commented on the US president’s decision in a televised address to the nation. He emphasized that his stance regarding the operation targeting Iran, which began February 28 by US and Israeli forces, is the same as in the case of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and the war in the Gaza Strip.
“No to War”
The head of the Spanish government assessed that the world will not solve its problems through conflicts and bombs. “This is how great catastrophes of humanity begin. You cannot play Russian roulette with the fate of millions,” Sanchez stated. “No to breaking international law. No to assuming that the world can solve its problems exclusively through armed conflicts. And finally, no to repeating past mistakes. The Spanish government’s position can be summarized in one phrase: no to war.”
Middle East Escalation
On February 28, the US and Israel conducted airstrikes on targets in Iran as part of a major military operation. On March 1, Iranian media confirmed the death of the country’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei, IRGC commander Mohammad Pakpur, and influential security advisor Ali Shamkhani. In response, Iran attacked US and Israeli military targets in the Persian Gulf region.
Continuing Conflict
On Wednesday (March 4), Israel conducted further attacks on Iranian rocket launchers and weapons factories, announcing the start of “a large-scale wave of attacks” on government infrastructure in Tehran. In turn, Iran fired dozens of missiles toward Israel, with one hitting a US air base in Qatar.
