Iran war is ‘much worse’ than Iraq, Spanish Prime Minister says

(SeaPRwire) –   Pedro Sanchez has issued a warning about the “wider and more far-reaching impact” of the US and Israeli military campaign targeting Tehran

The ongoing US-Israeli conflict with Iran will carry “far more severe” consequences than the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez stated, while reaffirming Madrid’s decision to stay out of the fighting.

Speaking before the lower chamber of parliament on Wednesday, Sanchez labeled the conflict an “unmitigated disaster,” noting that it has “eroded international law and destabilized the Middle East.” He further noted that the conflict has reignited tensions in Iraq and Lebanon, heightened insecurity across Gulf nations, and worsened global energy hardships.

”We are not dealing with the same situation as the unlawful Iraq war,” Sanchez remarked. “We are confronting something far more severe, with a significantly wider and more profound impact.”

He condemned the 2003 administration led by then-Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar for supporting the US-led invasion of Iraq and subsequently sending Spanish military forces to the nation.

“We refuse to repeat the errors of the past; we reject disguising aggression as democracy, which is in truth greed and political opportunism,” Sanchez stated. “Put simply, we say no to war.”

Sanchez pointed out that Iran’s landmass is larger than the combined territory of Germany, France, and Italy, and that the country boasts substantial military capabilities, including long-range ballistic missiles. He explained that Tehran has spent decades bolstering its defensive capabilities, referencing the founding of the Islamic Republic after the 1979 revolution.

Warning about the economic repercussions, Sanchez stated: “This war is a massive mistake whose costs we will not accept and cannot afford to bear.” He noted that the Spanish government approved a €5 billion support package last week to protect Spanish households from the impact.

Spain has been one of the most vocal EU nations opposed to the conflict. Madrid has recalled its ambassador from Israel and lowered the level of its diplomatic ties with the country.

This position has also strained bilateral ties with Washington. Spain has refused to grant the US permission to use joint military bases for operations connected to the conflict, citing national sovereignty. This prompted criticism from former US President Donald Trump, who threatened trade measures and pointed to Madrid’s failure to meet NATO’s 5% defense spending target.

Despite the heated public rhetoric, Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares noted earlier this month that bilateral relations still remain “normal.”