You have tripled your arms purchases in the United States, you are a fake pacifist!: the debate is explosive…

After saying “no to war” and drawing the ire of Donald Trump, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez closed Spanish airspace to aircraft participating in the “Epic Fury” operation led by the United States and Israel against Iran. This strong political decision now forces American bombers to change their routes.

The two air bases in Morón and Rota, located in Andalusia, are now off limits to any aircraft involved in the war in Iran. The only exception is in case of emergency when landing in Spain is allowed.

Another detail: the air control in Seville will not cut off contact with the B-2 Spirit bombers of the US Air Force, which can still fly over the Strait of Gibraltar.

Stealth bombers maintain link

Seville remains a technical relay for the B-2 Spirit bombers, these stealth giants with wingspans of over 50 meters that take off from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri, strike their targets in Iran, and return without stopping.

In the weeks leading up to the February 28th attack, the Pentagon had already deployed about fifteen refueling aircraft to the Rota and Moron bases. According to El País, Washington had approached Madrid to deploy bombers there to protect NATO bases in case of an Iranian response.

Spanish refusal has immediate effects. The American refueling aircraft linked to Epic Fury have left Spain to redeploy in France and Germany. Some operate from Istres, in Provence, to refuel in flight the American bombers now stationed in England, from where attack missions to Iran depart.

This is not the first time Madrid has refused Washington. 35 years ago, Felipe González’s government had already refused to allow the Morón and Rota bases to be used by US forces during the Gulf War.

As Madrid pointed out back then, no support can be given to an operation conducted outside a clear mandate from the UN or NATO. This is exactly the same principle Pedro Sanchez is invoking today.

Explosive debate in Madrid

The Spanish Prime Minister’s position sparked a heated parliamentary debate in Madrid last Wednesday.

Pedro Sanchez recalled the historic slogan “No to War” from 2003, when 90% of Spaniards opposed José María Aznar’s support for the Iraq War.

Immediate response from Alberto Núñez Feijóo, leader of the Popular Party:

“Remaining silent in the face of an illegal war is cowardice!” Sanchez said to the right and extreme right in Spain.

In response, former Prime Minister José María Aznar released a statement through his foundation justifying his decision to support the war 23 years ago:

“Saddam Hussein possessed weapons of mass destruction. The Aznar government acted based on the information available and logic. It is neither deceit nor manipulation.”

Weakened domestically, Pedro Sanchez is vehemently attacked by the right and the populist party VOX. But his stance against war simultaneously strengthens his support among progressive and leftist circles, where his refusal to automatically align with Washington is widely praised.