Spain has closed its airspace to American aircraft involved in military operations against Iran.
This move marks a significant escalation beyond Madrid’s previous refusal to allow the use of jointly operated military bases.
Defence Minister Margarita Robles confirmed the move on Monday.
“We don’t authorise either the use of military bases or the use of airspace for actions related to the war in Iran,” she told reporters in Madrid.
Spanish newspaper El Pais had first reported the news on Monday, citing military sources.
The closure, which compels US military planes to reroute around the Nato member state on their way to targets in the Middle East, does not apply to emergency situations, El Pais added.
Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo addressed the decision during an interview with radio Cadena Ser, while responding to questions about potential repercussions for relations with the United States.
He said: “This decision is part of the decision already made by the Spanish government not to participate in or contribute to a war which was initiated unilaterally and against international law.”
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has been a vocal critic of the US and Israeli attacks on Iran, characterising them as both reckless and illegal.
President Donald Trump has previously threatened to impose a full US trade embargo on Madrid over its denial of access to Spanish bases for the conflict.
“Spain has been terrible,” Trump told reporters during a meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, adding: “We’re going to cut off all trade with Spain. We don’t want anything to do with Spain.”
He said he had told Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to “cut off all dealings” with Spain.
The US relocated 15 aircraft, including refuelling tankers, from the Rota and Moron military bases in southern Spain after the country’s Socialist leadership said it would not allow them to be used to attack Iran.
Mr Sanchez, for his part, has stood firm against the trade threats and has warned that the Iran war risks “playing Russian roulette” with millions of lives.
“We are not going to be complicit in something that is bad for the world and is also contrary to our values and interests, just out of fear of reprisals from someone,” he said in a televised address.
