Spain closes airspace to US aircraft involved in Iran war

Spain’s Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares stated that the main objective of this decision is to avoid taking any step that could escalate tensions or intensify the ongoing conflict.
Spain has closed its airspace to U.S. aircraft involved in potential strikes on Iran. The country’s Defense Minister Margarita Robles confirmed the decision, saying that no operations related to the Iran conflict will be allowed to use the Morón and Rota military bases. She emphasized that Spain had clearly communicated this position to the United States from the outset.
Meanwhile, a White House official told the media that U.S. forces are successfully achieving the objectives of “Operation Epic Fury” and do not require assistance from Spain or any other country.
Earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump warned that Spain could face full trade sanctions for opposing the Iran war.
Since the outbreak of the conflict in late February, Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has strongly criticized U.S. and Israeli strikes, describing them as “reckless” and “illegal.”
In early March, Sánchez announced that the jointly operated military bases in Andalusia—Rota and Morón—would not be made available to U.S. forces. He later added that all flight plans linked to the Iran operation had been rejected, including those of refueling aircraft.
He reiterated that Spain is a sovereign nation and does not intend to participate in what it considers an unlawful war.
At the same time, U.S. bomber aircraft stationed at RAF Fairford in the United Kingdom are now facing logistical challenges. Although British Prime Minister Keir Starmer allowed them to be stationed there at Washington’s request, the denial of Spanish airspace has forced them to take longer alternative routes.
Aircraft departing from Fairford must now avoid the Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal), instead flying via the eastern Atlantic or through French airspace to reach their destinations.
According to the Spanish newspaper El País, U.S. aircraft will only be permitted to use Spanish airspace or land at its bases in emergency situations.
In a televised address on March 4, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez recalled the devastation of wars in Ukraine, Gaza, and Iraq, stating that his government’s guiding principle can be summed up as: “Saying no to war.”
Spain’s stance has been welcomed by Iran. In late March, the Iranian embassy in Spain stated that, given Madrid’s commitment to international law, Tehran would remain flexible in considering any Spanish requests—particularly regarding navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.