Spain bans US military flights to Iran from its airspace

Madrid escalates diplomatic row with Washington by declaring it will not permit US military aircraft linked to conflict with Iran to pass through Spanish airspace.

By World Israel News Staff

Spain has closed its airspace to US military aircraft involved in strikes on Iran, widening Madrid’s break with Washington over the month-long conflict and forcing affected flights to route around NATO territory on the Iberian Peninsula.

Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles announced on Monday that Spain would not authorize either the use of its military bases or its airspace for actions related to the war with Iran.

Previously, Spain declared that it would not permit the United States to use the jointly operated bases at Rota and Morón for war-related operations.

Spanish officials framed the airspace ban as an extension of the same policy, arguing that Madrid will not assist a conflict it regards as having been launched unilaterally and in violation of international law.

Last year, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez banned US ships and aircraft carrying military supplies to Israel from flying through Spanish airspace or docking at Spanish ports.

According to a report by El País, Madrid’s new policy has forced American military planes involved in the Iran campaign to bypass Spain, even as some American logistical activity linked to broader alliance commitments continues through Spanish facilities in other forms.

The Spanish government has become the staunchest public opponent in the West of the US air campaign against Iran, earning a rare tribute from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which featured a photograph of Sánchez and referenced a quote from the prime minister on ballistic missiles.

After Sánchez publicly condemned the US strikes, claiming the conflict was an “illegal war,” IRGC-linked media outlets released footage of stickers including a photograph of the Spanish premier, stuck onto the fuselages of missiles prior to launch.

“Of course, this war is not only illegal, but also inhuman,” the stickers read. “Thank you, Prime Minister.”