Spanish leadership delivered sharp condemnation of Israeli military operations in Lebanon and wider Middle East hostilities on Thursday, solidifying Madrid’s position as a vocal opponent of U.S. and Israeli military actions even as Washington threatens retaliation against uncooperative NATO partners.
The Spanish government’s resistance to the Iranian conflict has deepened tensions with Washington, with members of President Donald Trump’s MAGA coalition increasingly calling for punishment against Madrid.
Speaking before parliament, Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares characterized the conflict as an assault on civilization itself, mirroring harsh words from Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez regarding Trump’s decision to target the Islamic Republic.
“We’re facing the greatest assault on the civilisation built upon the humanist ideals of reason, peace, understanding and universal law over the abuse of power, brute force and arbitrariness,” Albares stated.
“The prophets of war and violence seek to return to the values and practices of history’s darkest moments,” he continued, claiming Israel had broken international law and violated a newly negotiated two-week ceasefire following extensive airstrikes throughout Lebanon that resulted in over 250 deaths on Wednesday.
Sanchez, who has positioned himself as a prominent war opponent, has prohibited Spanish airspace access to any aircraft participating in what he calls a dangerous and unlawful confrontation.
Wednesday evening saw Sanchez renew his appeal for the European Union to abandon its association agreement with Israel, demanding an end to “impunity for (Israel’s) criminal actions”.
Through a social media post on X, Sanchez declared Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s “contempt for life and international law is intolerable”.
Wednesday also witnessed Spain and Italy both calling in Israeli diplomatic representatives to object to separate incidents involving UN peacekeepers in Lebanon. Madrid reported that Israeli forces had wrongfully detained a Spanish UNIFIL participant.
Spanish-American relations suffered damage last year when Madrid refused Trump’s requirement that NATO members increase defense expenditures to 5% of gross domestic product. This position prompted Trump to threaten complete trade cessation.
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham stated in March that America should withdraw from two jointly managed air bases in southern Spain and relocate “to a country that will allow us to use them”.
Earlier this week, Albares noted that Trump’s public consideration of alliance withdrawal was encouraging European nations to explore alternative security frameworks.
Within Spain, the government’s stance enjoys broad popularity, with polling data showing overwhelming public rejection of the war. Recent surveys indicate Sanchez’s Socialist Party has increased voter backing while far-right Vox, which supported the U.S. and Israel, has experienced declining support.
Though Sanchez has praised the Pakistani-mediated ceasefire, he also stated Spain would “not applaud those who set the world on fire just because they turn up with a bucket,” referencing the U.S. administration.
Albares announced Thursday morning that Spain would reopen its Tehran embassy in pursuit of regional peace.
However, his Israeli counterpart, Gideon Sa’ar, denounced the decision as “an eternal disgrace,” claiming Spain was collaborating with what he described as Iran’s terror regime.
