Spain has taken new steps to keep itself away from U.S. military operations in the wake of ongoing military tensions in the Middle East. The country has said its airspace will no longer be open to U.S. military aircraft linked to possible strikes in Iran.
Speaking to reporters in Madrid on Monday, Spain’s Defense Minister Margarita Roberts said Spain would not allow the use of its airspace or joint military bases in the case of Iran-related military operations. Although access to U.S. forces have been restricted, the new decision has tightened the restrictions.
The government’s position is seen as part of Spain’s broader foreign policy, with a policy of not providing direct or indirect assistance to any conflict that has been accused of violating international law. Finance Minister Carlos Cuerpo also said that Spain does not support any military operation that goes beyond international law.
If the decision is implemented, U.S. military aircraft will have to use alternative routes, which could have an impact on the operation’s strategic and logistics management. However, there are opportunities for emergency situations.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has been criticizing the military actions of the United States and Israel around Iran since the beginning. Washington, on the other hand, has already hinted at taking commercial action in response to the position.
Analysts say the trend of increasing differences between European allies could put new pressure on the unity of the Western alliance around the Iran crisis.