Spain to Reopen Embassy in Iran Amid Ongoing Ceasefire

On Thursday, Spain’s Foreign Minister, Jose Manuel Álvarez, announced the immediate reopening of the Spanish embassy in Tehran. This decision is part of an effort to assist in peace negotiations between the United States and Iran during the current two-week ceasefire.

Álvarez stated, “Given the new circumstances and the remaining two weeks, I’ve directed the ambassador to return to Tehran, resume his responsibilities, and reopen the embassy to support this peace effort in every possible way, including from the Iranian capital.” He emphasized Spain’s commitment to negotiations throughout this period.

According to Spanish public broadcaster RTVE, the embassy closure took place on March 7, when Ambassador Antonio Sánchez Benedit and his diplomatic team were evacuated due to the outbreak of war in the region.

By resuming diplomatic functions in Tehran, Spain aims to take part in peace discussions scheduled for Saturday in Islamabad, Pakistan. The minister also mentioned he has communicated with Iranian officials to express Spain’s backing for the mediation process.

Reports indicated that he urged Iran to fully engage in the talks, refrain from aggressive actions against Gulf nations, and leverage its influence over Shiite militias in the area.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideo Saar sharply criticized the reopening, referring to it as an “everlasting disgrace” on social media. He condemned Iran’s government for resuming executions of citizens and political dissenters while Spain chose to resume diplomatic relations.

An anonymous source within the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed alarm over the Spanish government’s decision, labeling it “reckless.” The source mentioned, “I don’t understand the logic,” and questioned the wisdom of putting diplomats at risk.

Further commentary from sources pointed out that it might have been more sensible for Spain to wait for a more stable ceasefire before reopening its embassy. Reports indicated that the Spanish envoy and others would begin their journey back to Tehran this Saturday, taking a land route through Azerbaijan due to Iranian airspace closures.

One official remarked on the government’s eagerness to engage with Iran despite a lack of dialogue with the U.S. or Israel, suggesting that Spain seems to want to go its own way without considering the broader EU context. Another implied that if Spain truly wishes to facilitate peace, it should seek influence on all sides of the conflict, not just Iran.