Spain Urges Iran to Negotiate in ‘Good Faith’ as Israel-Lebanon Escalation Strains Ceasefire

Spanish FM José Manuel Albares calls on Iran to engage in Islamabad talks while slamming Israel’s "unacceptable" invasion of Lebanon. Read the latest.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 10, 2026, 6:52 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from AFP

Madrid Joins Diplomatic Push for Lasting Peace

Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares confirmed on Friday, April 10, 2026, that he has held direct discussions with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to support the newly brokered regional ceasefire. Speaking to reporters, Albares revealed that he urged Tehran to participate in the Islamabad negotiations in "good faith," stressing that a political settlement is the only viable path forward. The Spanish minister’s intervention comes at a critical juncture, as the two-week truce between the United States and Iran, mediated by Pakistan, remains fragile due to unresolved territorial and maritime disputes, including the status of the Strait of Hormuz.

Urgent Plea to Halt Aerial Assaults

During the phone call, which reportedly took place on April 8, Albares specifically requested that Iran cease "all missile and drone launches." This request follows weeks of intense regional warfare that saw Iranian-backed forces target vital infrastructure in neighboring Gulf states. Madrid’s message reflects a broader European concern that any renewed provocation from Tehran could provide a pretext for the collapse of the Islamabad Accord, potentially leading to the "total war" scenario recently warned of by U.S. President Donald Trump. Albares emphasized that for the negotiations to succeed, all parties must demonstrate a genuine commitment to de-escalation.

Albares Denounces Continued Israeli Action in Lebanon

While pressuring Tehran, the Spanish Foreign Minister turned his sharpest criticism toward Israel, condemning the ongoing ground campaign and airstrikes against Hezbollah strongholds. Albares described the violence in Lebanon as a "disgrace on the conscience of humanity," asserting that Israel’s refusal to halt its invasion—despite the U.S.-Iran truce—is a violation of international humanitarian law. "All fronts must cease, and all fronts also means Lebanon," Albares told public radio RNE. Spain has emerged as one of the most vocal Western critics of the offensive, which local health authorities say killed over 300 people on the first day of the ceasefire alone.