Spain denies US access for Iran strikes, forcing military rethink

Spain’s refusal forces US to reroute bombers and rethink strategy as Europe asserts limits on US-led Iran operations

By Abdullahi Yusuf

Spain has closed its airspace to American military aircraft conducting missions against Iran and is denying Washington access to its military bases, Defense Minister Margarita Robles confirmed, in a move that has forced U.S. bombers to reroute and rethink their logistics.

“The bases are not authorized, and of course neither is the use of Spanish airspace for actions related to the war in Iran,” Robles told journalists, confirming a report by Spanish daily El Pais. Transit or landing of planes is permitted only in emergencies, the newspaper said. Spain’s refusal has “complicated” U.S. military operations, forcing bombers to change their routes on the way to the Middle East.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has emerged as the most prominent Western leader to consistently oppose the war, launched by US-Israeli strikes on February 28.

His stance has drawn the ire of Washington, with President Trump threatening to cut trade ties with Spain and accusing it of failing to meet NATO defense spending obligations.

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