Supposed NATO Ally Spain Closes Airspace to US Flights, Calls Action in Iran ‘Profoundly Illegal’
Spain has stated it will not allow the United States to use its airspace or its Morón and Rota bases in connection with the war against Iran. Defense Minister Margarita robles emphasized that Spain has made its position clear to the U.S. government and will not authorize any acts related to the war in Iran, calling the conflict “profoundly illegal and profoundly unjust.” Foreign Affairs Minister José Manuel Albares said Spain’s goal is to avoid escalation.
The article notes mixed reactions: the White House claimed the U.S. is meeting its goals in the conflict without Spain’s help, while former President Trump accused NATO members of not supporting the U.S. and criticized NATO’s role in the war, suggesting the alliance has not been reliable. The reporting is drawn from BBC and NewsNation summaries, and includes references to a CBS News tweet about Spain’s decision.
NATO member Spain will not allow the United States to use its airspace in the war with Iran.
Defense Minister Margarita Robles said her country had “made this clear to the American government from the beginning.”
“We will not authorize the use of Morón and Rota [military bases] for any acts related to the war in Iran,” she said, according to the BBC.
“I think everyone knows Spain’s position; it’s very clear,” Robles said.
She called the conflict with Iran “profoundly illegal and profoundly unjust,” according to NewsNation.
Spain’s leftist government has closed Spanish airspace to U.S. planes carrying out missions against Iran, in addition to denying Washington use of its bases, the defense minister said Monday. https://t.co/2TMVQTI6iQ pic.twitter.com/be4yNWqzDE
— CBS News (@CBSNews) March 30, 2026
Foreign Affairs Minister José Manuel Albares said Spain’s goal was “not do anything that could encourage an escalation in this war,” according to the BBC.
A White House official said America was “meeting or surpassing all of its goals under Operation Epic Fury and does not need help from Spain or anyone else.”
Last week, Trump fired a broadside at NATO nations for their lack of help with the war.
“NATO NATIONS HAVE DONE ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO HELP WITH THE LUNATIC NATION, NOW MILITARILY DECIMATED, OF IRAN,” Trump posted on .
“THE U.S.A. NEEDS NOTHING FROM NATO, BUT ‘NEVER FORGET’ THIS VERY IMPORTANT POINT IN TIME!” Trump wrote.
Trump took those comments a step further on Friday, according to The Washington Post.
“NATO just wasn’t there” during the war, Trump told a Miami Beach investment conference.
He called that “a tremendous mistake.”
“We spend hundreds of billions of dollars a year on NATO, hundreds, protecting them, and we would have always been there for them, but now, based on their actions, I guess we don’t have to be,” he said.
“Why would we be there for them, if they’re not there for us?” Trump said.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt noted that “President Trump has been very vocal and honest about his displeasure with NATO.”
Advertise with The Western Journal and reach millions of highly engaged readers, while supporting our work. Advertise Today.
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
