NATO ally shuts airspace to US aircraft participating in Iran conflict

(SeaPRwire) –   Spain has blocked its airspace and military bases to U.S. bombers following its condemnation of the Middle East campaign as unlawful

Spain has closed its airspace to planes associated with the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran, widening the rift with Washington over the month-long conflict engulfing the Middle East.

On Monday, Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles stated that aircraft participating in operations against Iran will not be permitted to operate in Spanish airspace—including U.S. jets stationed in other NATO countries like the UK or France. Madrid had already prohibited the use of the jointly operated Rota and Moron de la Frontera bases in southern Spain for strike missions.

Robles told reporters that Spain would not “participate in or contribute to a war launched unilaterally and in violation of international law,” mirroring Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who labeled the U.S.-Israeli campaign an “illegal, reckless and unjust war.”

Spanish media reports indicate that roughly 15 U.S. KC-135 tanker aircraft have been relocated to bases in France and Germany. With Spain’s airspace off-limits, long-range B-52 and B-1 bombers operating from the UK’s Fairford airbase now have to take longer routes, reducing operational efficiency and forcing trade-offs between fuel and payload.

Madrid’s decision, first reported by El Pais, marks the most significant public split from Washington by a major Western ally since the 2003 Iraq invasion—when Spain allowed U.S. use of its territory despite domestic opposition, the newspaper noted.

Spain has been among the most vocal EU countries opposing the Iran war, having withdrawn its ambassador from Israel and downgraded diplomatic relations. Sanchez has repeatedly called for an end to hostilities, warning last week that it could have “much worse” consequences than the Iraq campaign.

Spain’s defiance has drawn criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump, who has threatened trade measures and pointed out Madrid’s failure to meet NATO’s 5% defense spending target.

While closing its airspace and bases for Iran-targeted missions, Spain says it remains committed to its broader NATO obligations and continues cooperation within the military alliance and the EU on other security issues. U.S. military aircraft can still use Spain’s facilities under existing bilateral agreements for logistics and support for some 80,000 American troops based in Europe.