Spain’s leftist government has denied the United States permission to use its military bases for operations against Iran, labelling the US-Israeli strikes as violations of international law, officials announced Monday, prompting the departure of American tanker aircraft from the facilities.
The decision affects key sites like Rota near Cadiz and Morón near Seville, which host around 4,000 US troops and had supported the buildup to the Middle East conflict.
At least 11 US KC-135T and KC-135R refuelling planes left the bases late Sunday to operate from other countries.0
Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares affirmed the stance, saying: “Spanish military bases will not be used for anything that falls outside the agreement with the United States and the United Nations Charter.”
Defence Minister Margarita Robles echoed the position, noting that the bases could still be utilised for humanitarian efforts but not the current actions, which she described as unlawful.
Robles reaffirmed: base use is limited to frameworks of international law, which the U.S. and Israel have violated.
Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar rebuked Spain, accusing it of “standing with all the tyrants of the world” and “now standing with Iran.”
Domestically, opposition Popular Party figure Carmen Fúñez mocked Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, saying: “With Maduro and the ayatollahs gone, his WhatsApp groups are getting empty.”
The policy aligns with Sánchez’s criticism of US actions under Trump, including on immigration and Israel’s Gaza operations, which he has termed a “genocide.” Spain has also recognised Palestine and backed barring Israel from Eurovision.
Government spokespersons offered no further details on potential impacts to bilateral ties.
