Spain denies White House claim it ‘agreed to cooperate’ amid Iran war – National
Spain has denied White House statements about the use of Spanish military facilities by the US military to operate in the Middle East during the Iran war.
Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares denied that the European government had changed its position after White House press secretary Caroline Leavitt said the Spanish government in Madrid had agreed to help the US.
“I would deny (the White House spokesman),” Albares told Spanish radio station Cadena Ser. “The position of the Spanish government regarding the war in the Middle East, the bombing of Iran and the use of our bases has not changed one iota.”
Albares’ rejection came after Leavitt said, “As far as Spain is concerned, I think they heard the president’s message yesterday which sounded clear.”
“And my understanding is that a few hours ago, they agreed to cooperate with the US military. And so I know that the US military is cooperating with their Spanish counterparts,” Leavitt said at a press conference Wednesday at the White House.
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“The president expects all of our European allies to cooperate in this long-awaited campaign, not just in the United States but in Europe, to end the corrupt regime of Iran,” Leavitt said.
The standoff began on Tuesday when US President Donald Trump said he would “cut off all trade with Spain,” a day after Albares said his government would not allow the US to use military bases in southern Spain for any strikes not covered by UN law.
Albares noted that military bases in Spain were not used in the attack on Iran over the weekend.
“If the American administration wishes to revise the trade agreement, it must do so with respect for the independence of private companies, international law, and bilateral agreements between the European Union and the United States,” said a spokesman for the Spanish Prime Minister’s office, Pedro Sánchez, on Tuesday.
Sánchez has been criticizing the US and Israeli attacks on Iran, calling it an “unjust” and “dangerous” military intervention. His government has called for immediate detente and negotiations and has also condemned Iran’s strikes across the region.
On Wednesday, while speaking on television, Sánchez warned that the war in the Middle East risks “playing Russian roulette” with millions of people.
“We will not be involved in something bad in the world and against our principles and interests, just because of the fear of retribution,” said Sánchez.
“In short, the position of the Spanish government can be summed up in four words,” continued Sánchez. “No to war.”
After Spain refused US use of its bases, Trump said, “We can use their bases if we want to.”
“We could just fly and use it. No one will tell us not to use it, but there’s no need.”
– Via files from the Associated Press
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