On March 30, Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles said that US and Israeli aircraft participating in operations against Iran will not be allowed to operate in Spanish airspace, including US jets stationed in other NATO countries such as Britain or France.
Madrid had previously banned the use of Rota and Moron de la Frontera bases jointly operated by Spain in southern Spain for attack missions.
Ms. Robles told reporters that Spain would not "participate or contribute to a war initiated unilaterally and contrary to international law", reiterating the words of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who called the US and Israeli campaign an "illegal, reckless and unfair war".
About 15 US KC-135 refueling aircraft have been transferred to bases in France and Germany. Due to the closed Spanish airspace, B-52 and B-1 long-range bombers operating from the British Fairford Air Force base now have to fly longer routes, reducing operating efficiency and being forced to trade off fuel and payload.
Madrid's decision, first reported by El Pais newspaper, is considered the biggest rift between Washington and a Western ally since the Iraq war in 2003.
In response, President Donald Trump threatened to impose trade sanctions and criticized Spain for not achieving NATO's 5% defense spending target.
Spain is one of the EU countries that has spoken out most strongly against the Iranian war, withdrawing its Ambassador from Israel and downgrading diplomatic relations. Mr. Sanchez has repeatedly called for an end to the war, warning that the Iranian war could have "much worse" consequences than the campaign in Iraq.
Despite closing its airspace and bases serving counter-Iran missions, Spain affirmed that it remains committed to fulfilling its broader obligations in NATO and continues to cooperate within the military alliance as well as with the EU on other security issues.
US military aircraft can still use Spanish facilities under existing bilateral agreements to serve logistics and support about 80,000 US troops stationed in Europe.
