Spain Breaks with European Powers, Bars American Use of Bases in Escalating Middle Eastern Conflict

Spain has moved to distance itself from the escalating US-Israeli military campaign against Iran, refusing to allow American forces to use jointly operated bases on Spanish soil for strike operations.

The decision marks a sharp divergence from other major European powers that have signaled willingness to back what they describe as “proportionate defensive action.”

Flight tracking data from FlightRadar24 showed that at least 15 American aircraft departed the Rota naval base and Morón air base in southern Spain following the weekend attacks. Several of those aircraft were identified as KC-135 “Stratotanker” aerial refueling planes.

At least seven of the aircraft were tracked landing at Ramstein Air Base in Germany. Others were seen heading toward France, though some flight paths were not publicly visible.

Spain’s Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares made Madrid’s position explicit. “The bases are not being used—nor will they be used—for anything that is not in the agreement [with the US], nor for anything that isn’t covered by the UN charter,” he told Telecinco.

Albares emphasized that while Spain supports democracy and fundamental rights for the Iranian people, it rejects military action that falls outside international legal frameworks.

“Europe’s voice must be one of balance and moderation at this time, working towards de-escalation and a return to the negotiating table,” he said.

Defense Minister Margarita Robles reinforced that message, stating categorically that Spain had provided no assistance to the strikes. She argued that the bilateral agreement governing American forces in Spain “must operate within the framework of international law.”

“What is clear is that the tanker aircraft have not carried out and were not going to carry out any support operations,” Robles said. She suggested that Washington’s decision to relocate the aircraft reflected Spain’s stance.

Spain’s socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has gone further, condemning what he called “unilateral military action” by Washington and Jerusalem. He warned that the offensive was contributing to “a more hostile and uncertain international order.”

In a speech in Barcelona, Sánchez sought to draw a distinction between opposing Iran’s regime and rejecting open-ended escalation. “You can be against a hateful regime… and, at the same time, against an unjustified and dangerous military intervention that is outside international law,” he said.

Spain’s refusal makes it an outlier among Europe’s larger powers. France, Germany, and the United Kingdom have adopted a firmer tone toward Tehran following Iranian missile and drone retaliation across the Gulf.

In a joint statement, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz declared: “We will take steps to defend our interests and those of our allies in the region, potentially through enabling necessary and proportionate defensive action to destroy Iran’s capability to fire missiles and drones at their source.”

The joint statement of Britain, France & Germany about Iran strikes on Middle Eastern countries:

“We call on Iran to immediately cease these reckless attacks. We will take steps to protect our interests and those of our allies in the region, potentially including taking… pic.twitter.com/BYTlPulHoY

— Lord Bebo (@MyLordBebo) March 2, 2026

Starmer initially hesitated to permit US forces to use British bases but reversed course after Iranian retaliation reportedly struck a UK facility in Cyprus. President Donald Trump criticized the delay, saying Britain had taken “far too long” to grant access.

Merz, who is scheduled to meet Trump in Washington, said Germany would not “lecture” its partners over the strikes. “Despite all the doubts, we share many of their aims,” he added, acknowledging the dilemma posed by Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

Spain, however, has charted a different path. Albares condemned Iran’s “absolutely unjustified” attacks on Gulf countries and Cyprus, an EU partner currently holding the bloc’s rotating presidency, but insisted the solution lies in diplomacy rather than escalation.

Madrid summoned Iran’s ambassador, Reza Zabib, to formally convey its rejection of Tehran’s actions. Spanish officials stressed that the safety of approximately 30,000 Spanish nationals in the region is a priority.

Robles confirmed that more than 1,000 Spanish troops deployed across Lebanon, Iraq, and Turkey are taking heightened security precautions. Nearly 700 personnel in Lebanon, serving under the UNIFIL mission, reportedly spent the night in bunkers amid renewed exchanges between Israel and Hezbollah.

The European Commission, for its part, has called for a “diplomatic” resolution, with Commission President Ursula von der Leyen urging preparation for the “fallout from these recent events.” That fallout is already visible in disrupted airspace, rising energy uncertainty, and growing regional instability.

Spain’s leadership argues that escalation breeds further escalation. Albares warned that “a logic of violence… only leads to a spiral of violence,” adding that unilateral actions without UN endorsement lack “a clear objective.”

Whether Madrid’s stance will strain relations with Washington remains to be seen. For the time being, however, Spain has made clear that its bases will not be launching pads for a widening regional conflict.

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