Spain Closes Its Airspace to US Aircraft Involved in Iran War

JAKARTA - The Spanish government confirmed that it closed its airspace to US aircraft that were on a mission against Iran.

The refusal included a ban on using Spanish airports for US fighter jets.

"These bases are not allowed, and of course the use of Spanish airspace for actions related to the war in Iran is also not allowed," Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles told reporters, confirming a report in the newspaper El Pais, quoted by The Washington Post, Monday, March 30.

El Pais in its report said Spain's refusal had "complicated" US military operations, forcing bombers to change routes and logistics on their way to the Middle East.

However, Spain excluded US aircraft from being able to transit or land if in an emergency.

Spain through Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has emerged as the most prominent Western leader to consistently oppose the war that began with the massive US-Israeli attack on Iran on February 28, leading to the heating of the Middle East.

Sanchez's attitude has angered a number of his allies in NATO, but most are in a similar state of mind to send warships to help US President Donald Trump control the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump separately has threatened to sever trade ties with Spain.

The relationship between Trump and Spain had previously been inflamed. Spain had refused to agree to an increase in NATO defense spending to five percent of member countries' GDP as requested by Trump.