Madrid/Washington — Fifteen U.S. military aircraft have left the Spanish bases at Rota and Morón in southern Spain after the Spanish government said it would not permit its territory to be used for attacks on Iran, in a development that has intensified diplomatic tensions between Madrid and Washington.
Flight tracking data showed the movements late Monday and Tuesday, with several of the aircraft, largely Boeing KC‑135 Stratotanker aerial refueling tankers, relocating to Ramstein Air Base in Germany and other locations after operating from Spanish soil.
Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares reiterated Madrid’s position that the U.S.–Spain defence agreements governing the jointly operated bases apply only within the constraints of those treaties and the United Nations Charter, and that the facilities would not support operations outside that framework.
“The bases are not being used… and they will not be used for anything not included in the agreement with the United States or in accordance with the UN Charter,” Albares said in comments carried by Spanish media.
The stance reflects growing Spanish criticism of the weekend’s U.S. and Israeli military strikes on Iran, which Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has decried as inconsistent with international law and dangerous for regional stability.
Trump threatens trade suspension
In Washington, U.S. President Donald Trump responded sharply, threatening to “cut off all trade with Spain” in reaction to the refusal to grant access to Spanish bases for what he termed strategic operations linked to the Iran conflict.
Trump made the remarks during a meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, characterising Spain’s decision as uncooperative and also criticising Madrid for defence‑spending disagreements within NATO.
However, legal and trade experts note that dismantling a trade relationship with Spain would be complex, particularly because Spain’s trade agreements with the United States are negotiated at the European Union level.
Spanish officials responded by emphasising compliance with international law and existing bilateral commitments, saying Madrid has the resources to mitigate potential trade impacts and calling on Washington to respect established EU‑U.S. trade agreements.
Spain’s refusal marks a rare departure from most European allies in the face of the escalating conflict with Iran, underscoring divisions over military cooperation and legal norms. The United Kingdom, after an initial refusal, later authorised the use of its bases for “collective self‑ defence”, highlighting a contrast in European responses.
As the wider Middle East situation continues to evolve, Madrid has called repeatedly for de‑escalation and a return to diplomatic channels, while the United States presses its strategic objectives, leaving bilateral ties between the two NATO members under strain.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
