Spain's "brightly marked" anti-war stance, Middle Eastern conflict "burns" across the Atlantic relations

Source: Xinhua News Agency

Xinhua News Agency Madrid, March 26 (Reporters Chen Yuzheng, Meng Dingbo) Spanish Prime Minister Sanchez delivered a speech in the House of Representatives on the 25th, reiterating the Spanish government’s opposition to the military strikes against Iran by the United States and Israel, stating that this war is “illegal, absurd, and brutal.” Spain rejects the use of its military bases for conducting military operations against Iran.

Since the outbreak of the US-Israel-Iran conflict, Sanchez has condemned the US and Israeli military actions multiple times. Analysts believe that Spain’s open anti-war stance reflects the declining trust European countries have in the US, indicating a growing unwillingness to blindly follow the US and a strengthening desire for strategic autonomy.

“We cannot repeat the mistakes of the past”

After the US and Israel launched military strikes against Iran, Sanchez emphasized three “oppositions” during an emergency speech at the Prime Minister’s Office: opposition to actions that violate international law, opposition to the mindset of “solving all problems with bombs,” and opposition to repeating the mistakes of the past. Subsequently, he condemned the US and Israeli military actions on several occasions for “lacking international legal basis,” calling it “an extremely serious mistake.”

On March 25, in Madrid, Spain’s capital, Prime Minister Sanchez reiterated the Spanish government’s consistent stance against the Middle East war during a speech in the House of Representatives. Xinhua News Agency (Photo by Gustavo Balent)

Spain has clearly rejected the use of its military bases at Rota and Morón de la Frontera by the US military to strike Iran. US President Trump publicly threatened to sever trade relations with Spain over this, but Sanchez insisted that he would not become an accomplice in “actions harmful to the world” out of fear of retaliation. In his speech on the 25th in the House of Representatives, he stated that this decision reflects Spain’s principle as a sovereign nation of “not participating in illegal wars,” asserting that this war “does not align with the interests of Spain and the European people.”

Analysts believe that Spain’s steadfast anti-war position is based on profound historical lessons. Spain previously followed the US into the Iraq War, which led to severe terrorist attacks domestically, resulting in heavy casualties. Consequently, Spanish society has long opposed government intervention in overseas conflicts. Following the outbreak of the US-Israel-Iran conflict, anti-war sentiments surged in Spain, with the public holding anti-war demonstrations, and some in the political arena even calling for Spain to withdraw from NATO. Sanchez emphasized in this speech, “We cannot repeat the mistakes of the past, nor can we respond to instability with war,” stating that military means would only further exacerbate regional turmoil and security risks.

At the same time, Spain’s economy is highly dependent on imported energy and tourism, making it directly impacted by the spillover effects of the US-Israel-Iran conflict, which has left Spain very dissatisfied. Sanchez said, “Some are setting fires in this world, while others have to bear the ashes, which is unfair.”

“No allies trust the White House anymore”

In his speech in the House of Representatives, Sanchez clearly stated that ally relationships “do not mean blind obedience” and should be based on common principles, emphasizing the need to “have the courage to point out wrong policies” when necessary.

In fact, Spain’s anti-war stance is not an isolated case in Europe. After the outbreak of the conflict, most European countries quickly “distanced themselves.” In response to Trump pressuring allies to send warships for escort in the Strait of Hormuz, Spain, Germany, Italy, and others made it clear they would not participate. EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Borrell bluntly stated this “is not Europe’s war,” adding, “No one wants to be actively involved.”

Former Spanish Foreign Minister Arancha González Laya noted that the situation of the US’s Gulf allies in this war serves as “a glaring mirror” for Europe. This provides a clear lesson for Europe: when a real crisis arises, relying on others for security will no longer be secure.

On February 28, citizens held a demonstration in Parliament Square in London, UK, protesting the US and Israeli military strikes against Iran. Xinhua News Agency reporter Li Ying photographed.

Analysts believe that this war highlights the differences between the US and Europe in strategic decision-making, risk assessment, and conflict resolution, further straining the already pressured transatlantic relationship over issues like Greenland and tariffs. The US’s military actions against Iran without consulting Europe, along with repeated threats toward allies, have severely undermined political mutual trust, leading Europe to be unwilling to blindly follow the US anymore.

Oscar Martínez-Tapia, a professor at IE University in Spain, believes that European countries have already begun to reassess transatlantic relations due to issues like Greenland. Now, the rifts caused by the Iran issue are further shaking the relationship, prompting Europe to think more deeply about how to advance strategic autonomy.

Spain’s El País published an article stating that many European countries are taking steps to reduce dependence on the US, and currently “no allies trust the White House anymore.”

Editor: Wang Yanan