Spain rejects NATO claims, stands firm against US strikes on Iran

Madrid has emerged as one of the strongest critics of the escalating conflict in the Middle East, firmly refusing to allow the United States to use jointly operated military bases on Spanish soil to conduct strikes, POLITICO reports.

Spanish Defence Minister Margarita Robles strongly rejected NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte’s claim that there is “widespread support” among alliance members for US President Donald Trump’s military actions against Iran. Speaking on Spain’s Cadena Ser radio network, Robles said Spain does not “share his opinion.”

Her remarks countered Rutte’s comments on March 4, in which he asserted that NATO allies “are basically, on a massive scale, supportive of what the president is doing.” Rutte added in a Newsmax interview that NATO members “are also enabling what the US is doing now in the region, taking out this nuclear capability of Iran and, of course, the missile capability.” Trump reposted the interview on his Truth Social account.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez reiterated Madrid’s position in a televised address on March 4, emphasizing that respect for international law must be paramount and declaring that Spain said “no to war.”

Robles stressed that Spain’s opposition to the attacks on Tehran does not diminish its role within NATO. She highlighted that a Spanish Patriot anti-aircraft missile battery had assisted in detecting an Iranian missile intercepted over Türkiye on March 4, underscoring Madrid’s commitment as a “firmly committed member of the Atlantic Alliance.”

The defence minister also confirmed Spain’s readiness to support a defensive mission to Cyprus following Iranian drone attacks on British bases. The Spanish defence ministry announced the deployment of the Cristobal Colón frigate, the country’s most technologically advanced air-defence ship, to join Greek and French forces aiding Cyprus.

Robles further disclosed that she met with US Ambassador to Madrid Benjamin León Jr. on March 4 evening, asserting that Spain remains a faithful ally while upholding the principles of multinationalism and national sovereignty.

“Spain is a proud country that will not be lectured to,” Robles said. “We demand respect.”

By Vafa Guliyeva