Madrid, Spain. The White House said Spain agreed to cooperate with the US military after President Donald Trump threatened a trade embargo, but Spain’s foreign minister later said the government’s position had not changed.
White House statement and Spain’s response
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told a briefing on Wednesday that Spain had shifted its stance after Trump’s warning the previous day. “I think they heard the president’s message yesterday loud and clear. It is my understanding over the past several hours they’ve agreed to cooperate with the US military,” she said.
Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares said the government’s position on the war in the Middle East and on the use of Spanish bases had not changed, contradicting the White House account.
Dispute over use of bases and trade threat
Trump threatened to cut trade with Madrid after Spain refused to allow US aircraft to use jointly operated naval and air bases in southern Spain for the offensive against Iran.
Spain has denounced the US and Israeli bombing campaign as reckless and illegal.
Spanish government reactions
Deputy Prime Minister María Jesús Montero said Spain “will not be vassels” to another country.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, in a televised address, reiterated his anti-war stance and warned that the conflict risked triggering a major global disaster.
How do you assess the differing accounts from the White House and Spain’s foreign minister on Spain’s position?