Spain denies U.S. permission to use its airspace for ‘illegal’ war on Iran

Spain has closed its airspace to U.S. planes involved in the Iran war, the country’s Defence Minister said on Monday (March 30, 2026), marking another step in the government’s opposition to U.S. and Israeli involvement in the conflict in West Asia.

Also read: West Asia war updates on March 30, 2026

The country had already said that the U.S. could not use jointly-operated military bases in the Iran conflict, which Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has described as illegal, reckless and unjust.

Minister Margarita Robles said on Monday that the same logic applied to the use of Spanish airspace in the conflict. “This was made perfectly clear to the American military and forces from the very beginning. Therefore, neither the bases are authorised, nor, of course, is the use of Spanish airspace authorised for any actions related to the war in Iran,” Ms. Robles said.

Spain’s government under Mr. Sanchez, one of Europe’s most prominent left-wing leaders, has been Europe’s loudest opposing voice against U.S. and Israeli military actions in West Asia. He has called on the U.S., Israel and Iran to end the war, saying earlier this month, “You cannot respond to one illegality with another, because that’s how humanity’s great disasters begin.”

After Mr. Sanchez’s government denied the U.S. use of the Rota and Moron military bases in southern Spain, U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to cut trade with Madrid.

It was the latest flare-up between Spain and the U.S., which made trade threats against the European nation last year, too, when Mr. Sanchez said that his government would not increase its defence spending in accordance with a ramp-up agreed to by other NATO members following pressure from Mr. Trump.

At the time, Mr. Sanchez’s government said that Spain could meet its military commitments by spending 2.1% of gross domestic product on defence, instead of the 5% the rest of the 32-nation military alliance agreed upon.

Mr. Sanchez was also among the most vocal critics of Israel’s actions in the war in Gaza, which invited criticism from Israel’s government on several occasions.

“I think everyone knows Spain’s position; it’s very clear,” Ms. Robles said, calling the war in Iran “profoundly illegal and profoundly unjust.”

WATCH | Iran war fallout: Trump threatens to end all trade after Spain refuses access to bases