PM Pedro Sánchez Explains Spain's Reasons for Opposing War in Iran
Despite economic and political pressure, Spain remains firm in opposing war in Iran. In a national address, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez delivered a concise yet firm message: ‘No to the war’. Sánchez stressed that Spain’s position does not mean supporting Tehran, but a humanitarian appeal for Iran, Israel, and the United States to halt the fighting. ‘Twenty-three years ago, we were dragged into the Middle East war by another US administration. The impact was the greatest wave of insecurity our continent has known since the fall of the Berlin Wall,’ he recalled, invoking the memory of the 2003 Iraq War.
He warned that letting the conflict continue would be like ‘playing with the lives’ of millions. Sánchez also criticised world leaders who fail to prioritise diplomacy: ‘It is unacceptable that leaders who fail in their duties try to hide that failure behind a shield of war.’
Madrid’s firm stance has stirred tensions with Washington. Sánchez openly rejected a US-Israel military strike on Iran, a move that prompted threats of a trade boycott from US President Donald Trump. As a concrete protest, Spain banned the use of its bases to support the US military operation, making Madrid one of the EU’s loudest voices questioning the legality of the strike.
Trump responded by threatening to halt all trade with Spain: ‘We will stop all trade with Spain. We do not want to have any more dealings with them.’ He spoke at a joint press conference with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
Germany has taken a more cautious approach. Merz did not openly back Spain, but also did not endorse Trump’s threats. Germany is navigating a delicate position while reviewing Spain’s NATO contributions. When pressed by reporters, Merz said he discussed the matter privately with Trump and emphasised that Spain is a key EU member that cannot be treated arbitrarily. ‘I do not want to prolong this debate in public,’ he said.
Merz’s cool response prompted disappointment in Madrid. Spain’s foreign minister said she was surprised and considered the reaction inappropriate for a European leader who should stand with partners. Spain did receive support from European Commission Vice-President Teresa Ribera, who warned that Trump’s threats endanger global stability and regretted Washington’s treatment of its European partners. ‘Tensions arising from Washington’s treatment of its partners range from UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to French President Emmanuel Macron and Pedro Sánchez, unsettling the public and threatening global peace and economic cooperation,’ Ribera explained.
French President Emmanuel Macron was reported to have contacted Sánchez to express solidarity. Macron questioned the legality of the strike and stated that Paris could not endorse operations carried out outside international law. (Ant/I-1)
Sánchez said the current crisis marks the beginning of a major humanitarian disaster for humanity.