Relations between Madrid and Washington have plunged into their deepest crisis in decades following Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's decision to prohibit the use of the Rota and Morón bases for operations against Iran. Donald Trump has threatened Spain with severe trade embargoes, particularly targeting the olive oil sector, and exclusion from NATO. Meanwhile, the White House is sending conflicting signals, claiming that Madrid ultimately agreed to cooperation, which the Spanish side firmly denies, upholding the slogan "no to war".

Blockade of bases in Rota and Morón

The Spanish government has officially prohibited the use of strategic bases by the USA for attacks on Iran, citing principles of pacifism and international law.

Threat of trade embargo

Donald Trump announced punitive tariffs and an embargo, which would primarily hit Spanish olive oil producers and the agri-food sector.

Crisis within NATO

Washington suggests the possibility of excluding Spain from Alliance activities, while left-wing parties in Madrid are calling for a complete withdrawal from NATO.

Uncertainty in the markets

The Madrid stock exchange is reacting with fluctuations, and major companies like Dcoop are halting investments in the USA, fearing economic retaliation.

Tensions between Madrid and Washington have reached a critical point after the government of Pedro Sánchez officially upheld the ban on providing Spanish military infrastructure to US forces preparing to strike Iran. The Spanish Prime Minister, speaking in parliament, accused the Donald Trump administration of pursuing a dangerous policy, which he described as "Russian roulette" with the lives of millions of people. The Spanish left, including coalition partners from the Podemos and Sumar groups, fully support this assertive stance, seeing it as an opportunity for Europe to regain strategic sovereignty. Meanwhile, the opposition People's Party and Vox warn that the government's isolationism will lead to economic disaster and the loss of its status as a reliable ally within NATO. Particular concern surrounds the fate of the Rota base, which generates two-thirds of the local economy's income; the city's mayor warned that its potential relocation by the Americans would be a blow impossible for the region to bear. The US administration's reaction is violent, though marked by informational chaos. Donald Trump on his social media called Spain a "terribile ally" (terrible ally) and announced the introduction of punitive tariffs on Spanish products, which immediately caused panic in the agricultural sector. The largest cooperative of olive oil producers, Dcoop, has halted the process of acquiring an American subsidiary, fearing a market blockade. At the same time, a White House spokesperson issued a statement suggesting that Madrid "agreed to cooperate," which was perceived in Spain as an attempt at manipulation aimed at softening the government's stance in the eyes of the public. Defense Minister Margarita Robles, while receiving the US ambassador, emphasized the professionalism of the Spanish armed forces but did not yield on the operational issue, further deepening the impasse in bilateral relations. The Rota and Morón de la Frontera bases operate under agreements from 1953, concluded during General Franco's regime with the Eisenhower administration, which has been controversial for decades in Spanish pacifist circles.This situation is causing a stir across the European Union. Liberal factions in the European Parliament have come to Spain's defense, arguing that an attack on one member state is an attack on the entire Community. Meanwhile, Germany is showing greater restraint, which has irritated the head of Spanish diplomacy, José Manuel Albares. High volatility has taken hold in the financial markets; the IBEX index initially recorded sharp declines following Trump's threats, only to stabilize in subsequent hours at a level of 2.5% growth thanks to government announcements about introducing protective economic packages. However, security experts note that by refusing to provide access to the bases, Spain loses its most important negotiating argument, exposing itself to direct trade retaliation without the possibility of an effective diplomatic response. In 2004, Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, shortly after taking office, withdrew Spanish troops from Iraq, which led to a years-long cooling of relations with the USA under the George W. Bush administration.„No es tiempo de guerra. España no será base para operaciones que amenazan la paz mundial y la seguridad de los civiles en Irán.” (It is not a time for war. Spain will not be a base for operations that threaten world peace and the security of civilians in Iran.) — Pedro Sánchez

Mentioned People

  • Pedro Sánchez — Prime Minister of Spain, leader of the opposition to involvement in the conflict with Iran.
  • Donald Trump — President of the USA, author of threats against the Spanish government.
  • Margarita Robles — Spanish Minister of National Defense.
  • José Manuel Albares — Minister of Foreign Affairs of Spain.