Spain rejects United States claims of military cooperation regarding Iranian conflict and maintains ban on base usage

Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles denies cooperation with US attacks on Iran, citing "disinformation" and barring the use of Rota and Morón bases.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 5, 2026, 7:21 AM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from AA

Rebuttal of White House cooperation claims

The Spanish government has moved quickly to distance itself from recent assertions made by the United States regarding military collaboration. Defense Minister Margarita Robles characterized claims from White House Press Secretary Karoline Levitt—which suggested Spain had "agreed to cooperate" following trade threats—as potential "disinformation." Robles clarified that Spain will not authorize the use of the Rota or Morón de la Frontera air bases for any American military actions directed at Iran, emphasizing that the facts of Spain's neutral stance in this specific theater are "very clear."

Sovereignty and diplomatic independence

Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares reinforced this position on Thursday, stating that the refusal to permit offensive base usage is a sovereign decision that does not require external consultation. Despite the rhetorical pressure from Washington, Albares noted that Spain has no immediate plans to summon the U.S. Ambassador, preferring instead to focus on its own established policy of de-escalation and adherence to international law. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has previously characterized the ongoing military operations in Iran as a "disaster," summarizing the administration's stance with the phrase "no to war."

Commitment to NATO and allied defense

While refusing to participate in offensive strikes, Spain continues to highlight its active role in collective defense frameworks. Minister Robles noted that a Spanish brigade provided the critical information that allowed NATO to successfully intercept an Iranian missile over Turkish airspace on Wednesday. Furthermore, the Spanish government announced the deployment of one of its most advanced warships to the eastern Mediterranean. This move is intended to assist in the defense of allied territory rather than to participate in the joint U.S.-Israeli offensive that has targeted the Iranian regime.