Spain denies US military base access, rejects trade threats

US President Donald Trump in a dejected mood.

Madrid, March 5 – Spain on Wednesday denied reports that it had agreed to allow the United States to use its military bases for operations in the Middle East, contradicting claims by the White House.

Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares said the government’s position “has not changed one iota” regarding the war in Iran and the use of Spanish bases. Albares’ remarks came after a White House spokesperson claimed Spain had agreed to cooperate with the U.S. military.

President Donald Trump earlier threatened to “cut off all trade with Spain,” citing NATO spending disputes and Spain’s refusal to let American forces use its bases in southern Spain for strikes on Iran. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said his government would not “be complicit in something that is bad for the world” and reiterated that Spain’s position could be summarised in four words: “No to the war.”

Sánchez warned that the conflict could escalate into a costly Middle East quagmire, similar to past U.S. interventions in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Trump had referred to the Rota and Morón bases, jointly operated by Spain and the U.S., saying, “We could just fly in and use it… nobody’s going to tell us not to use it, but we don’t have to.”

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Spain’s stance “puts American lives at risk,” while the EU pledged to protect member states’ trade interests. Spanish business groups expressed concern over the threat, noting that U.S.-Spain trade accounts for around 1 percent of the country’s GDP.

Spain’s refusal adds to growing tensions with Washington, following disagreements over NATO spending and criticism of military actions in Gaza and the Middle East. – Agency via UNB