Spain refused to support the Iran attack ordered by Donald Trump mainly because of legal, political, and strategic reasons under the government of Pedro Sánchez.The Spanish government argued that the US-Israeli strikes on Iran were unilateral military actions that could destabilise the region and were not clearly authorized by international law or the UN. Spain said conflicts should be resolved through diplomacy rather than bombs.Sánchez summarised Spain’s position with the slogan “No to war.”
The US operates from military bases in Spain, especially at Rota and Morón. Spain denied permission for those bases to be used for strikes against Iran, saying any operation must comply with existing agreements and the UN Charter.This refusal directly limited US operational support from Spanish territory.
Sánchez warned that the attack could lead to consequences similar to the Iraq War, which increased instability, terrorism, and migration pressures.Spain argued that another Middle East war could produce similar global instability.
The Sánchez government is politically very different from Trump’s administration. Sánchez has often criticised U.S. policies in the Middle East and supports multilateral diplomacy and international law rather than unilateral military action.
Because of Spain’s refusal Trump threatened to cut trade ties with Spain. Spain said it would not change its stance out of fear of reprisals.