Spain refuses to let US use bases for Iran attacks

"Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has condemned US and Israeli strikes on Iran that began on Saturday as an unjustified and dangerous military intervention outside the realm of international law, in another break from US policy. The Spanish government will not authorise the use of the bases for anything beyond the agreement or inconsistent with the United Nations."

"Spain says the United States is not using and will not be using joint military bases on its territory for operations against Iran, a mission condemned by Madrid. Based on all the information I have, the bases are not being used for this military operation, Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares told Spanish public television on Monday."

"The Spanish position is an outlier among the major European countries. Britain had also initially refused to allow the use of its bases for an attack on Iran, but on Sunday, Prime Minister Keir Starmer authorised their use for collective self-defence, amid Iranian counterattacks targeting US assets across the Middle East and energy infrastructure in the Gulf region."

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has condemned US and Israeli strikes on Iran as unjustified and dangerous military intervention outside international law. Spain's Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares stated that US military bases at Rota naval base and Moron airbase will not be used for operations against Iran. The Spanish government will only authorize base use consistent with UN agreements and humanitarian purposes. Despite this position, flight-tracking data shows 15 US aircraft departed from southern Spanish bases since the strikes began, with at least seven landing in Germany. Spain's stance differs from other major European nations; Britain, France, and Germany have authorized or are prepared to authorize base use for collective self-defense amid Iranian counterattacks.

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