MADRID — Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez doubled down Wednesday on his opposition to U.S. and Israeli military strikes against Iran, rejecting pressure from Washington and warning that the escalating conflict risks spiraling into a broader catastrophe.
In a televised address, Sánchez delivered a blunt message: Spain will not support what he described as a dangerous intervention — even under the threat of economic retaliation from the United States.
“We are not going to be complicit in something that is bad for the world and contrary to our values and interests, just out of fear of reprisals,” he said.
His remarks came a day after President Donald Trump threatened to cut off U.S. trade with Spain, accusing Madrid of undermining American operations by refusing to allow U.S. forces to use joint military bases on Spanish soil during recent strikes on Iran.
Trade Threats and Strategic Tensions
Trump’s warning has raised questions about how such a trade cutoff could be implemented, given that Spain is a member of the European Union, which negotiates trade policy collectively on behalf of its 27 member states.
When asked about the possibility of a trade embargo during a CNBC interview, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said any action would require “a combination effort,” without providing specifics. He argued that Spain’s refusal to grant base access endangered American personnel.
“Anything that slows down our ability to engage and prosecute this war in the fastest, most effective manner puts American lives at risk,” Bessent said. “The Spanish put American lives at risk.”
Trump had earlier suggested that the U.S. could use Spain’s shared military facilities at Rota and Morón regardless of Madrid’s position, though both bases operate under Spanish command despite housing U.S. forces.
“We could just fly in and use it,” Trump said Tuesday. “Nobody’s going to tell us not to use it.”
Fears of Another Middle East Quagmire
Sánchez framed Spain’s position as both moral and strategic, warning that the conflict with Iran could devolve into a prolonged and costly military entanglement similar to past U.S. interventions in Iraq and Afghanistan.
He described the current trajectory as akin to “playing Russian roulette” with millions of lives and summarized Spain’s stance in four words:
“No to the war.”
Sánchez, often described as Europe’s last major progressive leader, has repeatedly labeled the U.S. and Israeli strikes “unjustifiable” and “dangerous.”
EU Response and Economic Stakes
The European Union signaled support for Spain, emphasizing that it would defend the bloc’s economic interests if necessary.
“We stand in full solidarity with all member states,” European Commission spokesperson Olof Gill said, adding that the EU remains prepared to safeguard its trade position through its common policy framework.
The U.S. and EU struck a trade agreement last year after months of uncertainty surrounding Trump’s sweeping tariff policies. Any move to target Spain specifically would require navigating EU-level trade mechanisms.
Spanish Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo sought to calm markets Wednesday, noting that no formal trade measures had followed Trump’s remarks.
“I want to send a message of calm,” Cuerpo told Cadena Ser radio. “Beyond those comments, there have not been any further moves.”
Spanish business organizations also urged restraint, describing the United States as a crucial economic partner.
“We trust that our trade relations will ultimately not be affected,” business groups CEOE, CEPYME and ATA said in a joint statement.
According to Spain’s central bank, the country is relatively less exposed to U.S. tariffs compared with many EU peers. Trade with the United States accounts for about 4.4% of Spain’s GDP, compared with an EU-wide average of 10.1%. Spanish goods exports to the U.S. — worth approximately 16 billion euros annually — represent about 1% of GDP, making the U.S. Spain’s sixth-largest export market.
Key exports include pharmaceutical products, olive oil, refined gas and electrical transformers.
A Broader Diplomatic Rift
The dispute marks the latest strain in relations between Madrid and Washington.
Sánchez has been openly critical of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza and previously drew Trump’s anger by declining to meet NATO’s pledge to raise defense spending to 5% of GDP. Spain instead committed to spending 2.1%, arguing that it would sufficiently meet its security needs.
Trump has repeatedly used tariff threats as leverage in diplomatic disputes, though his authority to impose sweeping global tariffs was curtailed last month when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that emergency powers could not be used to unilaterally implement broad trade measures. The president has since argued that full-scale embargoes remain within his authority.
For now, Spain appears unmoved by the pressure.
Sánchez’s message was direct and unmistakable: Madrid will not alter its position on Iran in response to economic threats — even from its most powerful ally.
