White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt claimed that Spain agreed to cooperate with the United States (US) in its attack on Iran, after its initial refusal to allow the use of its military bases for such actions.
Earlier, President Trump threatened to cut trade ties with Spain after the European country openly criticized the US-Israeli military aggression against Iran.
In a press briefing on Wednesday, March 4, Leavitt said, “I think they heard the president’s message yesterday loud and clear. It is my understanding over the last several hours that they have agreed to cooperate with the U.S. military.”
Spain has not yet responded to the White House’s claim.
Spain refuses to allow the use of its bases for attacks on Iran:
Earlier, US jets left the jointly operated bases in Spain after they refused to allow their use for attacks on Iran.
Spain’s Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez condemned the joint US-Israeli “unilateral” military actions against Iran and also criticized Iran’s subsequent retaliation.
He called for immediate de-escalation and a return to the dialogue table to achieve a lasting political solution to the situation.
Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares confirmed that the jointly operated bases, which remain under Spanish sovereignty, will not be used in the US-Israeli strikes on Iran.
In an interview with the Spanish TV station Telecincosaid Albares, “Spanish bases are not being used for this operation and they will not be used for anything that is not included in the agreement with the United States or for anything that is not in accordance with the United Nations Charter.”
President Trump threatens to cut all trade with Spain:
Following Spain’s criticism, US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday: “Spain has been terrible.”
During his meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Trump said he had instructed US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to cut all trade with Spain.
He added: “We will cut off all trade with Spain. We will have nothing to do with Spain.”
Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian praises Spain:
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian praised Spain’s principled stance.
In a tweet on X (formerly Twitter), the 71-year-old wrote: “Spain’s responsible behavior in opposing the Zionist-American coalition’s blatant human rights violations and military aggression against countries, including Iran, shows that ethics and an awakened conscience still exist in the West.”
He added: “I commend Spanish officials for their positions.”
