Spain has escalated its dispute with Washington by banning U.S. aircraft involved in Iran operations from using Spanish airspace or military bases. The Sánchez government says it will not support what it calls an illegal and unilateral war. The restrictions extend even to U.S. planes flying from British and French bases, creating one of the biggest NATO disagreements since the Iran conflict began. While emergency landings and European-only missions remain exempt, the decision complicates American military logistics in the region.
Spain shut its airspace and bases to U.S. aircraft tied to Iran operations, creating a major NATO split and forcing American planes to reroute around Spanish territory. #Spain #Trump #NATO #Iran #MiddleEast pic.twitter.com/S5WjW4gga8
— Matthew Brady (@mattbrady775) March 30, 2026
- Spain announced it will close its airspace and military bases to U.S. aircraft involved in operations against Iran.
- Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles said, “We don’t authorize either the use of military bases or the use of airspace for actions related to the war in Iran.”
- Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said Spain rejected all U.S. flight plans tied to Iran operations, including refueling missions from the Rota and Morón bases.
- Spain said the restrictions apply not only to U.S. aircraft based in Spain, but also to American aircraft flying from bases in the United Kingdom and France.
- Spain will still allow emergency landings and flights supporting purely European operations unrelated to Iran.
- Spanish Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo said the government views the Iran conflict as “initiated unilaterally and against international law.”
- The move marks a major split inside NATO, as U.S. aircraft will now need to reroute around Spanish territory during Middle East operations.
- President Donald Trump has previously threatened economic measures against Spain amid worsening relations over Spain’s opposition to U.S. and Israeli policy in the Middle East.
