Spain has closed its airspace to American planes participating in strikes against Iran, Madrid driving the point home vis-a-vis Washington after refusing to allow the use of its bases in the conflict, Defense Minister Margarita Robles said on Monday.
“We do not authorize the use of military bases or airspace for operations related to the war in Iran,” she told reporters in Madrid.
The Spanish newspaper El País was the first to report this information, citing military sources.
The newspaper specifies that the closure of the airspace, which forces military aircraft to circumvent Spain – a NATO member – to reach their targets in the Middle East, does not apply to emergency situations.
“This decision is part of the Spanish government’s decision not to participate or contribute to a war that has been unilaterally triggered and in violation of international law,” Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo said on the Cadena Ser radio.
Over two weeks ago, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, during the announcement of five billion euros in measures to counter the economic impact in the Middle East, said that no “plan can neutralize the misery of this illegal war.”
Earlier this month, furious over Madrid’s refusal on the use of Spanish bases, President Donald Trump declared that the United States would end all their trade exchanges with Spain.
(Paolo Laudani and Emma Pinedo; with the contribution of Victoria Waldersee, French version Benoit Van Overstraeten, edited by Sophie Louet)
