India
Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has publicly condemned the ongoing US war on Iran, calling it an “extraordinary mistake,” a statement that comes amid rising tensions in the Middle East and growing international debate over American military actions in the region.
The conflict, which the United States has termed Operation Epic Fury, aims at regime change in Tehran and has drawn widespread attention from global powers. While many countries have aligned with US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Spain continues to assert a firm anti-war position.
Sánchez’s latest remarks follow his decision to refuse Trump’s request to jointly operate US military bases in southern Spain for potential attacks on Iran. The Spanish leader has maintained that his government’s stance on the widening conflict can be summarized in three words: “No to War.”
The refusal has escalated tensions between Washington and Madrid. On Tuesday, Trump publicly criticized Sánchez, labeling him a “terrible” ally and threatening to cut all trade ties with Spain. In a follow-up interview with the New York Post, the US president went further, calling the Spanish government “a loser.”
This is not the first time Sánchez has clashed with Trump. Earlier disputes included Sánchez’s rejection of NATO allies’ calls to increase defense spending, as demanded by Trump, and his outspoken criticism of Israel’s military actions in Gaza—policies that the US administration openly supported.
The diplomatic friction reached a new level on Wednesday when White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt claimed that Spain had “agreed to cooperate with the US military,” sparking immediate pushback from Madrid. Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares quickly clarified that Spain’s position on the war and use of its military bases “has not changed at all.”
Albares emphasized that Madrid remains firmly opposed to the bombardment of Iran and will not participate in any operations that could escalate the conflict in the Middle East. This reaffirmation underscores Spain’s determination to maintain an independent foreign policy, even in the face of US pressure.
As the Iran-US war enters its second week, the standoff between Washington and Madrid highlights broader divisions within Europe over military engagement in the Middle East, testing alliances and reshaping diplomatic relationships in a region already on edge.
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