After opposing the American-Israeli intervention in Iran, Spain has decided to close its airspace to American planes engaged in the war in the Middle East.
Spain, whose left-wing government is “totally opposed” to the American-Israeli attacks on Iran, announced on Monday that it has closed its airspace to American planes involved in this war, said Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles in a statement to AFP, confirming a report from El País.
In practice, “Spain’s refusal to cooperate has complicated the American operation” in the Middle East, El País reports, as some Washington bombers had to “circumnavigate the Iberian Peninsula to enter through the Strait of Gibraltar,” forcing them to “modify their routes” and logistics.
“The Spanish veto has only one exception: in case of emergency, the transit or landing of the aircraft involved is authorized,” the newspaper continues, which Margarita Robles did not specify.
Spain opposed to the ongoing war
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez firmly opposed the war led by the United States and Israel against Iran since February 28, calling it “illegal” and an “extraordinary mistake.”
This stance led to sharp criticism from American President Donald Trump, who threatened in retaliation to “cease” all bilateral trade after Madrid refused to let the US military use its two bases in Spain in their military operation against Iran.
However, El País specifies that “all missions planned under the bilateral agreement with Washington remain in force” regarding these two American bases in Andalusia, in southern Spain. The Rota naval base and the Morón air base are inherited from an agreement signed between Washington and Madrid in 1953 under Franco.
In addition to the Middle East war, Donald Trump has been reproaching Spain for several months for not increasing its military spending to 5% of GDP, as required by NATO’s new goal pushed by the White House occupant.
Context: – Spain has refused to allow American aircraft to use its airspace in support of the military operation in Iran. – Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has strongly criticized the US and Israel for their actions against Iran.
Fact Check: – The information about Spain closing its airspace to American planes is accurate based on the statements made by the Spanish Defense Minister.
