On Monday, a White House spokesperson stated that the United States does not require assistance “from Spain or anyone else,” in light of the Spanish government closing its airspace to American military aircraft involved in Operation Epic Fury.
According to the White House, the U.S. military has successfully met all objectives under Operation Epic Fury and is not seeking help from Spain or any other nation.
Various media outlets echoed similar sentiments. Reports from sources such as Spanish newspapers and other news organizations also confirmed the situation.
Spanish officials announced the closure of their airspace to U.S. military flights that are part of the operation against the Iranian regime. This includes restrictions on U.S. aircraft using bases in Rota, Cadiz, and Moron de la Frontera, as well as barring aircraft stationed in other countries from entering Spanish airspace.
It was reported by El Pais on Monday morning, later validated by Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Álvarez and other officials.
“From the outset, this was communicated to the American side and military,” Robles mentioned during a press conference. Operations related to the Iran conflict would not be allowed from these bases.
“Spain has never allowed, nor will it ever permit, the use of Rota and Moron bases for a war we strongly oppose, which we deem illegal and unjust,” she further stated.
The minister pointed out that U.S. access to bases in Spain would be limited to operations as outlined in existing bilateral agreements.
Spanish public broadcaster RTVE reported that at the request of the People’s Party (PP), Robles is set to update Congress Tuesday about how the government’s stance on U.S. and Israeli actions against Iran affects national security.
Prime Minister Sánchez maintains what he refers to as a “neutral” position on the ongoing conflict in Iran, consistently emphasizing that the Spanish government’s stance is “no to war.”
On Sunday, Sánchez reiterated his stance in a letter to members of the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE), stressing his opposition to war, stating, “this is what we socialists are here for: to protect peace.”
“When we socialists are in power, we act in line with this principle. We have supported Ukraine against Russian aggression,” Sanchez’s letter emphasized. “We called for an end to the genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, and we are now raising our voices to demand that this illegal war conclude immediately.”
