US senator urges sanctions on Spain after airspace ban on military flights

US Senator Lindsey Graham has called on President Donald Trump to impose sanctions on Spain and withdraw American military bases from the country after Madrid barred US aircraft involved in operations against Iran from using its airspace and facilities.

Graham, a senior Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, issued the appeal following confirmation by Spain’s defence minister, Margarita Robles, that the restrictions were in place, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

The decision prevents US aircraft from transiting Spanish territory or operating from joint bases such as Rota and Morón in connection with the conflict, which began on February 28.

“I would highly encourage President Trump not to let the Spanish government’s decision to restrict their airspace to the US military go unanswered,” Graham wrote on X. 

He described Iran as “the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism since 1979” and argued that Spain does not fully grasp the stakes of the conflict.

Graham went further, offering to help draft sanctions legislation and advocating for the relocation of US military assets. “I would again recommend to President Trump that we close US air bases in Spain and relocate to a country that allows these assets to be used to protect America and the world. The sooner this is done, the better,” he said.

The remarks come amid growing tensions as Iranian forces have moved to block the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint through which roughly one-fifth of global oil supplies pass. The disruption has pushed oil prices above $115 per barrel and heightened concerns over global energy security.

The US-led campaign against Iran has intensified in response, with American and Israeli strikes targeting Iranian military infrastructure, proxy forces, and nuclear-related facilities. US officials say the objective is to weaken Iran’s capacity to threaten shipping lanes and develop nuclear weapons.

Spain, however, has maintained a firm stance against involvement. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has criticized US and Israeli military actions, while Robles emphasized that bases on Spanish soil, operating under national sovereignty, cannot be used for operations beyond NATO treaty obligations or the framework of the UN Charter.

Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares reiterated that Madrid seeks to avoid escalation and pointed to strong domestic opposition to the war.

The position has drawn criticism from US lawmakers and foreign policy figures, who argue that European nations benefit from secure energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz but have provided limited support. “Spain clearly doesn’t understand the importance of degrading the largest state sponsor of terrorism,” Graham added.

By Vafa Guliyeva