Spain issues strong rebuke to US over illegal Iran war

Spain’s foreign minister Jose Manuel Albares has refuted US suggestions pushed by Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt that the country has changed its stance on the US-Israel war on Iran. Levitt’s comments have reportedly sparked anger amongst Spanish politicians with Albares stating defiantly on Spain’s Cadena Ser radio:

Our ‘no to war’ stance remains clear and unequivocal.

She may be the White House press secretary, but I’m the foreign minister of Spain and I’m telling her that our position hasn’t changed at all.

Spain government: ‘No to war’

The US-Israel war on Iran began six days ago. Many international leaders have aligned themselves with what critics describe as aggressive and war-driven leadership of Trump and Netanyahu. Spain, however, has refused to be pressured into supporting or joining what it rightly views as an unjust war in the Middle East.

Spain has already distinguished itself from many Western governments through its stance on Israel’s genocide on Gaza, which it has strongly criticised. By refusing to be drawn into a wider regional conflict, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez continues to demonstrate his principled stance. The Spanish government bases this position on respect for international law and the rules-based international order.

Our own Skwawkbox wrote in January:

In a speech announcing the decision, Sánchez said that the board is not fit for purpose, criticised the exclusion of Palestinian people and their representatives and condemned Trump’s attempted extortion over Greenland and for ramping up tensions with Europe. Trump, Sánchez said, has made it clear that Europe must forge relationships with the wider world and refuse to be US vassals.

A stark contrast from other western leaders, as our own HG wrote yesterday:

The majority of Western leaders have shown that when shit hits the fan, and civilian lives are at stake, they will side with genocidal maniacs (Trump) instead of doing the right thing.

Except Spain, of course, which condemned:

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“unilateral military action by the US and Israel.”

It also banned the US from using Spanish military bases to attack Iran.

HG astutely pointed out the backwards nature of the response seen from Western leaders, writing:

Time after time, Western leaders have come out to condemn Iran’s retaliatory strikes. Of course, they fail to mention why they are retaliating, the thousands of people Israel has murdered, or the fact that Israel is the only Middle Eastern country that actually has nuclear weapons.

Trump is nothing but a bully. He even claimed he might have forced Israel’s hand in attacking Iran. But Western leaders are enabling his bullshit – along with Netanyahu’s. One day we will see them all in the Hague – and then they will have been against this all along.

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The White House might be trying to bully Spain into submission, however their continuing resistance has received widespread respect and recognition.

Resistance is growing

President of the European Council Antonio Costa has expressed his support in a call to PM Sanchez:

His statement in full reads:

I just held a call with President
@sanchezcastejon
to express the EU’s full solidarity with Spain.

The EU will always ensure that the interests of its Member States are fully protected.

We reaffirm our firm commitment to the principles of international law and to the rules-based international order worldwide.

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It appears divides are becoming increasingly apparent in the EU as a result of this pursuit of a war on Iran:

Post in full:

Spain is pushing back against the narrative that Europe is lining up behind a U.S. war with Iran. Defense Minister Margarita Robles has publicly rejected NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte’s claim that there is “widespread support” for Donald Trump’s military campaign, making it clear that Spain does not share that assessment.

The statement highlights a growing gap inside NATO and across Europe about how far the alliance should go in supporting a new conflict in the Middle East. While Washington has framed the situation as a collective security concern, Madrid is signaling that European backing is far from automatic.

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Robles’ response is notable because it directly contradicts the impression that NATO members are broadly aligned with Washington’s approach. Instead, it suggests that several European governments may be far more cautious about escalating tensions with Iran than public statements from alliance leadership might imply.

The episode also reflects a broader pattern emerging in recent years: Europe increasingly asserting its own political judgment, even when it differs from the strategic direction coming from Washington.

Whilst other far-right leaders are seemingly more than happy to descend into the abyss behind out-of-control Trump and Netanyahu:

No to WWIII

It is clear Spain is holding firm in refusing to support this illegal war of aggression against the Iranian population, which has seen over a 1000 murdered by US and Israeli bombs.

Let’s hope this courage spreads across the west before we are all pulled into WWIII by weak, timid leaders.

Featured image via the Canary