Spain rejects US request to use airspace related to Iran war

JAKARTA - Spanish government officials confirmed that they had rejected the United States' request to use its airspace for flights related to the war involving Iran.

The restrictions also apply to American aircraft that are in third countries, such as the United Kingdom and France, according to a Spanish military source to the media El Pais.

Washington had previously considered placing strategic bombers, such as the B-52 Stratofortress and B-1 Lancer, at a Spanish southern base. However, the plan was canceled after Madrid insisted it would not support operations carried out without international legal support.

Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles reiterated her government's position.

"Everyone knows Spain's position. The use of bases is not allowed and only certain, the use of Spanish airspace is not allowed for actions related to the war in Iran," Robles said, quoted by ANTARA from Anadolu, Tuesday, March 31.

Spain has granted limited exceptions for emergency situations, allowing planes to pass through or land only if necessary, El Pais reported.

Meanwhile, Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said the restrictions were in line with the government's position not to do anything that could increase tensions in the Middle East.

Albares said he was more worried now than he was a month ago because it was a very serious military scenario.

"At any time, we can see the exodus of migrants from Iran to Europe," Albares said.

The Spanish government is concerned that the conflict could lead to a prolonged war scenario.

Trade with the US remains normal.

Furthermore, Spanish Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo did not expect the decision to reject the airspace to have an impact on Spain's economic relations with the United States.

Cuerpomengatakan hal itu di tengah ancaman terbaru Presiden Amerika SerikatDonald Trumpyang akan memutus hubungan perdagangan dengan Spanyol karena menolakuntuk bekerja sama dalam perang Iran.

"Economic relations remain exactly the same as before the conflict," Cuerpo said on Monday (30/3).

He said trade relations were regulated at the EU level.

"Spanish companies continue to operate, as do French, German and Italian companies," he said.

On the contrary, Cuerpo said Spain was actually trying to strengthen its economic presence in America, including by opening new offices in Boston and Houston to support businesses.

According to him, the decision regarding the airspace is not about economics, but rather about the policy of whether Spain will participate or not in a unilateral war that is contrary to international law.