Credited from: LATIMES
Spain has officially closed its airspace to U.S. military planes involved in the Iran war, as confirmed by Defence Minister Margarita Robles. This closure extends Spain's previous decisions denying U.S. access to jointly operated military bases, a stance that aligns with the Spanish government's position of non-participation in what it deems unlawful conflicts, according to Reuters, aa, and Al Jazeera.
Robles reiterated that both the bases in Morón and Rota and the use of Spanish airspace are unauthorized for actions tied to the conflict, as she labeled the war as "profoundly illegal and profoundly unjust." This refusal came after the U.S. proposed operations from nearby military facilities, which were subsequently dismissed by Spain due to the lack of international legal backing, according to BBC and Los Angeles Times.
Further complicating matters, U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to impose a trade embargo on Spain in retaliation for this decision. Nevertheless, Spain's Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo expressed confidence that economic ties would remain stable, emphasizing that the airspace restriction should not affect bilateral trade relations, as noted by Reuters, aa, and Los Angeles Times.
Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares remarked that the government's position aims to prevent any escalation in the already tense region. He also warned of a potential migration crisis if the conflict intensifies, indicating broader ramifications for Europe, according to Al Jazeera and BBC.