Spain Faces Deepening Crisis with U.S. and Israel Following Airspace Closure and Diplomatic Withdrawal

Spain defies the U.S. by closing its airspace to military flights and withdrawing its ambassador to Israel, as PM Sánchez faces a domestic corruption scandal.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 2, 2026, 1:26 PM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from The Times of Israel, WION, and El País.

The Airspace Closure and U.S. Base Restrictions

On March 30, 2026, the Spanish government escalated its opposition to the U.S.-Israeli military campaign in Iran by formally closing its national airspace to all U.S. military aircraft engaged in the conflict. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez had previously forbidden the use of the jointly operated Rota naval base and Morón air base for offensive operations, but the total airspace ban forces U.S. refueling tankers and heavy bombers to take lengthy detours around the Iberian Peninsula. Sánchez framed the move as a sovereign act to avoid complicity in a war he maintains was initiated unilaterally and outside international law.

NATO Friction and the "5 Percent" Defense Mandate

The diplomatic rift is compounded by Spain’s refusal to meet President Trump’s newly proposed NATO target, which demands members spend 5% of their GDP on defense—a significant increase from the previous 2% benchmark. President Trump has repeatedly labeled Spain a "laggard" and a "coward" on his Truth Social platform, threatening a total trade embargo and suggesting Spain be removed from the alliance. Madrid has maintained that its current 2% commitment is sufficient, prioritizing domestic social spending over what Sánchez calls a "Russian roulette" with global stability.

Total Diplomatic Breakdown with Israel

Spain’s relationship with Jerusalem has effectively collapsed. On March 11, 2026, Madrid permanently terminated the position of its ambassador to Israel, Ana María Salomón Pérez, following a year of escalating hostility. Spain was among the first European nations to recognize a Palestinian state in May 2024 and has since used the term "genocide" to describe Israeli military actions. In return, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar has accused Spain of "standing with tyrants" and leading a "hostile, anti-Israel line" in Europe. Currently, both nations are represented only by a chargé d’affaires.