Donald Trump Threatens To Cut All Trade With Spain Over Iran Dispute
Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that he plans to sever all trade relations with Spain after the Spanish government refused to support US military operations against Iran.
Trump criticized Spain, saying the country “has behaved horribly” and “wants nothing to do” with the United States, following Madrid’s decision not to allow American forces to use Spanish bases for attacks on Iran, according to the Wall Street Journal.
The comments were made in the Oval Office ahead of a meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Trump’s first foreign guest since the escalation in Iran.
Spain has firmly rejected requests to deploy US forces from its Rota and Morón bases, describing the offensive as an “unjustified and dangerous military intervention,” The Guardian reported.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez condemned the “unilateral military action” by the US and Israel, warning it contributes to “a more hostile and uncertain international order.”
Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares clarified that while Spain supports “democracy, freedom, and fundamental rights for the Iranian people,” its bases will not be used for the ongoing military operations. “The bases are not being used – and will not be used – for anything not provided for in the agreement [with the US], nor for anything not covered by the UN Charter,” he said.
As a result of Spain’s refusal, some US aircraft have been relocated from Spanish bases to other locations, highlighting a growing rift between Madrid and Washington over the conflict in Iran.
