Spain’s attitude towards authoritarian regimes

Spain has avoided aligning itself with countries that have publicly rejected Iran and other authoritarian regimes like Cuba or China in international bodies where decisions are made and positions are distributed, an abstention that practically amounts to tacit approval.

This pattern has manifested in recent decisions at the United Nations, such as Iran’s election to the vice-presidency of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) conference, and also at the European level, where Madrid is among the states hesitant to label the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization. Far from strict neutrality, this behavior sets Spain apart from other Western allies who have voiced public objections.

The Iran Issue at the NPT: Spain Does Not Join Objections

Iran was elected on April 27 to occupy one of the vice-president positions during the NPT review conference. The NPT is a one-month UN meeting gathering 191 countries to assess the implementation of the pact.

Spain Endorses Nominations of Authoritarian Regimes at the UN

On April 8, 2026, Spain approved without objection the designation of dictatorial countries like China, Cuba, and Iran to UN bodies during the renewal of seats in the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), responsible for coordinating economic, social, and development policies within the UN system.

Iran: The Revolutionary Guards and Double Standards in the Middle East

On January 15, 2026, Spain was among the countries hesitant to list the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization within the European Union. This issue is particularly sensitive due to the Guard’s involvement in supporting Iran’s allied armed groups in the Middle East.

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