Spain has firmly rejected a claim from the White House that it agreed to cooperate with the US military in the war against Iran, insisting its position has not changed despite President Donald Trump’s threat to cut off trade with the European country.
The dispute escalated on Wednesday when White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt suggested to reporters that Madrid had shifted its stance following Trump’s sharp criticism. “With respect to Spain, I think they heard the president’s message yesterday loud and clear, and it’s my understanding, over the past several hours, they’ve agreed to cooperate with the US military,” Leavitt said.
But within hours, Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares moved to squash the assertion entirely. Speaking on the Hora25 radio programme, Albares said he denied the White House’s claim “categorically”. “Not a single comma has changed, and I have no idea whatsoever what they might be referring to,” he added.
The confusion comes just a day after Trump lambasted Spain over its opposition to the US-led action against Iran, calling the country “terrible” and vowing to sever trade ties. “We’re going to cut off all trade with Spain. We don’t want anything to do with Spain,” the US president said on Tuesday.
Despite the threat, Madrid has shown no signs of backing down. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez took to X on Wednesday to reaffirm Spain’s opposition to the war, drawing a direct line to the 2003 invasion of Iraq. “The world, Europe, and Spain have faced this critical moment before. In 2003, a few irresponsible leaders dragged us into an illegal war in the Middle East that brought nothing but insecurity and pain,” Sanchez wrote. He added that Spain’s position remains firmly against war, violations of international law, and “the illusion that we can solve the world’s problems with bombs”.
Spain’s stance has not gone unnoticed internationally. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian publicly commended the country on Wednesday, posting on social media that “Spain’s responsible conduct in opposing the Zionist-American coalition’s flagrant human rights violations and military aggression against countries, including Iran, shows that ethics and awakened consciences still exist in the West”. He added, “I commend Spanish officials for their stances.”
The diplomatic clash places Spain at odds not only with Washington but also with the broader European Union position. While the EU has called for de-escalation and the protection of civilians, it has stopped short of rejecting the US and Israeli assault on Iran. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas struck a different tone, stating that “Iran’s regime has killed thousands. Its ballistic missile and nuclear programmes, along with support for terror groups, pose a serious threat to global security.” She noted that the EU has adopted strong sanctions against Iran and continues to support diplomatic solutions.
Spain has also been a consistent and vocal critic of Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza, further distinguishing its foreign policy from some of its European allies and the United States.
