Spain says it has closed its airspace to U.S. planes involved in the Iran war

MADRID — Spain has closed its airspace to U.S. planes involved in the Iran war, Defense Minister Margarita Robles said Monday.

Spain had already said the U.S. could not use jointly operated military bases in the country for operations related to the conflict.

“This was made perfectly clear to the American military and forces from the very beginning. Therefore, neither the bases are authorized, nor, of course, is the use of Spanish airspace authorized for any actions related to the war in Iran,” Robles told reporters.

Spain’s government under Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has been Europe’s most critical voice of U.S. and Israeli military actions in the Middle East.

“I think everyone knows Spain’s position; it’s very clear,” Robles said, calling the war in Iran “profoundly illegal and profoundly unjust.”