Spain has blocked United States military aircraft from using its airspace in operations against Iran, officials confirmed on Monday.
Speaking to reporters, according to Reuter news media, Defence Minister Margarita Robles said the decision was made clear to the US from the start.
“We don’t authorize either the use of military bases or the use of airspace for actions related to the war in Iran,” she told reporters in Madrid.
The move escalates Spain’s earlier refusal to allow the US access to the Rota and Morón military bases, which are jointly operated but remain under Spanish sovereignty. These facilities have long served as logistics hubs for American forces in the Mediterranean.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s government has been a vocal critic of the US- and Israel-led campaign in Iran, describing it as “unilateral,” “illegal,” and a violation of international law and the UN Charter. Robles labelled the operations “profoundly illegal and profoundly unjust.”
The airspace restriction requires US aircraft to reroute around Spanish territory, though exceptions may be made in emergencies, military sources said. Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo reiterated that Spain will not participate in or support what it considers an unlawful war.
Relations with Washington have been strained. Earlier in March, US President Donald Trump warned that Spain could face trade consequences over its refusal to provide base access. Despite this, Sánchez has maintained a firm “No to war” stance, insisting that any use of Spanish bases or airspace must comply with bilateral agreements and international law.
The latest development comes as the Middle East conflict enters its fifth week, raising concerns over regional and global stability.
