Spain rejects US proposal to allow Iranian military operations from its bases

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has issued a statement condemning recent strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran. According to Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares, Spain will not allow its military bases to be used for operations against Iran.

Albares made this statement during an interview with Spanish public television on Monday, citing information that suggests the US-operated Rota naval base and Moron airbase are not being utilized for the military operation. The bases remain under Spanish sovereignty, but operate under a joint-use arrangement with the US.

Prime Minister Sanchez has described the strikes as “unjustified” and “dangerous military intervention”. Defence Minister Margarita Robles stated that Spain’s military bases will only provide support if it is necessary from a humanitarian perspective.

The US has reportedly deployed at least 15 aircraft to southern Spain since the strikes on Iran began. Seven of these aircraft have been tracked as landing at Ramstein airbase in Germany. The Spanish government’s stance on this issue is unique among major European countries, with Britain and France having authorized the use of their bases for collective self-defence.

A joint statement from the leaders of Britain, France, and Germany condemned the Iranian retaliatory attacks on Gulf countries, stating that they were “appalled” by the indiscriminate and disproportionate missile attacks. The three countries have agreed to work together with the US and allies in the region to address this issue.

Source: Al Jazeera