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Spain closes its airspace to all US aircraft involved in Iran war

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Spain closes airspace to US planes involved in Iran war

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Trump threatens to cut off trade with Spain over Iran, defense spending

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Spain closes airspace to aircraft involved in Iran war, but US bases are being used in other ways

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Spain closes airspace to US planes involved in Iran war, defense minister says

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Spain closes airspace to US planes involved in war on Iran

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Spain Closes Airspace To Us Planes Involved In Iran War

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Spain closes the countrys airspace to US planes involved in the Iran war

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New European Defence Alliances Taking Shape Without Spain

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"I doubt President Trump will withdraw from NATO."

"I do not expect Trump to withdraw from NATO."

"Donald Trump wants NATO to be strong. He wants us to remain in NATO."

America's there "100 percent [if NATO allies pay their fair share]."

"He might try to pull the United States out of NATO."

"In a second Trump term, we'd almost certainly withdraw from NATO."

Trump "talked many times about getting out of NATO behind closed doors and publicly. So that's just a fact."

"Trump is setting up the pretext for cutting off aid to Ukraine and pulling the US out of NATO."

Will the US Pull Out of NATO?

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Ray McGovern

"Despite the heightened tensions, a full-scale war [between the U.S. and Iran] remains unlikely in the immediate term."

"Trump has been clear in his desire to resolve the issue diplomatically and avoid war [with Iran] in the Middle East."

"Despite all the hysteria of war, I'm not really seeing that on the horizon."

"It is highly unlikely that Trump will bomb Iran, not least because he vowed on the presidential campaign trail not to drag the United States into a war."

"The potential of some kind of conflict with Iran escalating into a larger regional war is very real, possibly more real than ever."

"The United States now seems close to a direct conflict that Biden (and Iran) have worked hard to avoid."

"[A] full-scale war is hardly inevitable."

"If they [Iran] don't make a deal [with the US], there will be bombing."

Will There Be a US-Iran War?

Spain stated on Monday that it has closed its airspace to U.S. military aircraft involved in operations against Iran, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.verity.news/story/2026/spain-bars-us-bases-from-iran-strikes-amid-tensions">having already blocked American forces</a> from using the jointly operated Rota naval base and Morón de la Frontera air base.

Spain stated on Monday that it has closed its airspace to U.S. military aircraft involved in operations against Iran, having already blocked American forces from using the jointly operated Rota naval base and Morón de la Frontera air base.

Defense Minister Margarita Robles confirmed the airspace closure on Monday, claiming it had already been communicated to U.S. forces. "Neither the bases are authorized, nor, of course, is the use of Spanish airspace authorized for any actions related to the war in Iran," she said.

Defense Minister Margarita Robles confirmed the airspace closure on Monday, claiming it had already been communicated to U.S. forces. "Neither the bases are authorized, nor, of course, is the use of Spanish airspace authorized for any actions related to the war in Iran," she said.

Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo said the airspace ban was "part of the decision already made by the Spanish government not to participate in or contribute to a war which was initiated unilaterally and against international law."

Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo said the airspace ban was "part of the decision already made by the Spanish government not to participate in or contribute to a war which was initiated unilaterally and against international law."

The airspace ban includes an exception for emergency situations, according to military sources cited by El País. U.S. military logistics already in place under the bilateral agreement, such as support for American troops deployed in Europe, also reportedly remain unaffected.

The airspace ban includes an exception for emergency situations, according to military sources cited by El País. U.S. military logistics already in place under the bilateral agreement, such as support for American troops deployed in Europe, also reportedly remain unaffected.

This comes as U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to cut trade with Spain after Madrid denied U.S. forces access to its bases, calling the Spanish government "terrible" and "unfriendly."

This comes as U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to cut trade with Spain after Madrid denied U.S. forces access to its bases, calling the Spanish government "terrible" and "unfriendly."

Spain <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.verity.news/story/2025/trump-suggests-nato-expel-spain-over-defense-spending">secured an agreement last year with NATO</a> not to spend 5% of GDP on defense and also announced earlier this month that it had withdrawn its ambassador to Israel.

Pedro Sanchez

Spain secured an agreement last year with NATO not to spend 5% of GDP on defense and also announced earlier this month that it had withdrawn its ambassador to Israel.

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Spain stated on Monday that it has closed its airspace to U.S. military aircraft involved in operations against Iran, extending a prior ban that blocked American forces from using the jointly operated Rota naval base and Morón de la Frontera air base.

Spain stated on Monday that it has closed its airspace to U.S. military aircraft involved in operations against Iran, extending a prior ban that blocked American forces from using the jointly operated Rota naval base and Morón de la Frontera air base.

Spain secured an agreement with NATO not to send 5% of GDP on defense last year, and also announced earlier this month that it had withdrawn its ambassador to Israel.

Spain secured an agreement with NATO not to send 5% of GDP on defense last year, and also announced earlier this month that it had withdrawn its ambassador to Israel.

Spain made the right call by shutting its airspace and bases to U.S. military planes targeting Iran — standing firm against an illegal war takes real courage. The Spanish Defence Minister drew a clear line, and that kind of moral backbone is exactly what the moment demands. History will remember Spain as the NATO ally that chose principle over pressure.

Spain made the right call by shutting its airspace and bases to U.S. military planes targeting Iran — standing firm against an illegal war takes real courage. The Spanish Defence Minister drew a clear line, and that kind of moral backbone is exactly what the moment demands. History will remember Spain as the NATO ally that chose principle over pressure.

Jeremy Corbyn

Ankit Mayank

Furkan Gözükara

Spain's grandstanding on Iran isn't principled — it's a pattern of ducking every serious defense commitment Europe needs right now. Madrid skipped the European Sky Shield, sits out nuclear deterrence talks and underspends on defense while allies carry the load. Bragging about blocking a NATO partner's airspace just confirms Spain is a spectator, not a partner.

Spain's grandstanding on Iran isn't principled — it's a pattern of ducking every serious defense commitment Europe needs right now. Madrid skipped the European Sky Shield, sits out nuclear deterrence talks and underspends on defense while allies carry the load. Bragging about blocking a NATO partner's airspace just confirms Spain is a spectator, not a partner.

U.S. Department of State

The Israel-Iran Conflict

The US-Iran Conflict

Spain Bars US Military Jets in Iran Op Dispute

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World

Spain should be applauded for standing firm against Trump-led American imperialism. Instead of becoming complicit in an illegal war, Pedro Sánchez has provided the moral clarity and backbone sorely missing from many European counterparts.  History will remember Spain as the country that chose principle over pressure.

Spain should be applauded for standing firm against Trump-led American imperialism. Instead of becoming complicit in an illegal war, Pedro Sánchez has provided the moral clarity and backbone sorely missing from many European counterparts. History will remember Spain as the country that chose principle over pressure.

Spain's stance is part of a repeated pattern of moral granstanding whilst leeching off partners for security. Madrid skipped the European Sky Shield, sits out nuclear deterrence talks and underspends on defense while allies carry the load. Bragging about blocking a NATO partner's airspace just confirms Spain is no longer the ally it once claimed to be.

Spain's stance is part of a repeated pattern of moral granstanding whilst leeching off partners for security. Madrid skipped the European Sky Shield, sits out nuclear deterrence talks and underspends on defense while allies carry the load. Bragging about blocking a NATO partner's airspace just confirms Spain is no longer the ally it once claimed to be.

Spain Closes Airspace to Iran-Linked US Military

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Spain Closes Airspace to Iran-Linked US Military

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