Spain closes airspace to US warplanes in Iran conflict
Spain closes its airspace and bases to US military aircraft involved in the war with Iran, becoming the first NATO member to impose such a ban.
Spain has closed its airspace and bases to US military aircraft involved in the war with Iran, becoming the first NATO member to impose such a ban. Defense Minister Margarita Robles announced that aircraft participating in operations against Iran will not be allowed to operate in Spanish territory, including US jets based in other NATO countries like the UK or France. This decision deepens the rift with Washington amid the month-long conflict in the Middle East.
Madrid had already barred the use of the jointly operated Rota and Morón de la Frontera bases for strike missions. Robles stated that Spain will not "participate in or contribute to a war that was initiated unilaterally and against international law," echoing Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who branded the US-Israeli campaign an "illegal, reckless and unjust war." This stance reflects Spain's opposition to the conflict, which has included withdrawing its ambassador from Israel.
The move has had immediate operational consequences: approximately 15 US KC-135 tanker aircraft have been relocated to bases in France and Germany, while long-range B-52 and B-1 bombers operating from the UK's Fairford airbase must now take longer routes, reducing operational efficiency. According to El País, this marks the most significant public break with Washington by a major Western ally since the 2003 Iraq invasion.
Despite this specific prohibition, Spain maintains its commitment to NATO, allowing US military aircraft to continue using its facilities for logistics and support to US troops in Europe under existing bilateral agreements. The decision has drawn criticism from President Donald Trump, who has threatened trade measures and recalled Spain's failure to meet NATO's 2% defense spending target.
