Spain’s government has closed its airspace to U.S. aircraft involved in the conflict with Iran, according to the country’s defense minister, Margarita Robles.
“It’s a very clear position: We are not going to authorize, as we have said at the beginning, the use of Morón and Rota bases for any act related to the war in Iran,” she told reporters in Madrid on March 25.
“And, of course, the use of Spanish airspace.”
That means that Madrid has banned fighter jets and refueling aircraft from using its bases and denied U.S. aircraft operating from third countries access to its airspace.
“This decision is part of the decision already made by the Spanish government not to participate in or contribute to a war which was initiated unilaterally and against international law,” Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo told Spanish radio station Cadena SER when asked on March 30 whether the latest decision could worsen relations with the United States.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said on March 25 in Congress that he would pursue such a course of action.
Hellbound and Down 