Spain Closes Its Airspace to US Planes Involved in Iran War

Spain has made the decision to close its airspace to airplanes from the United States involved in the Iran war.

The decision follows a similar one made by Spanish authorities that disallows the US from using jointly operated military bases in operations relating to Iran.

Spain Closes Airspace to US Planes Involved in War

According to a report by AP, Spain's Defense Minister, Margarita Robles, explained the reason behind the decision.

"This was made perfectly clear to the American military and forces from the very beginning," Robles said. "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 went on to describe the Iran as "profoundly illegal and profoundly unjust."

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has likewise been very critical of the actions of Israel and the United States.

"You cannot respond to one illegality with another, because that's how humanity's great disasters begin," Sánchez said

US Reacts to Spain Closing Its Airspace

According to a report by the BBC, a White House official has commented on Spain's decision.

The official insists that the United States is "meeting or surpassing all of its goals under Operation Epic Fury and does not need help from Spain or anyone else."

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has also reacted, saying that Spain's officials are "bragging" about the closure of their airspace despite the US pledging to defend the country.

"But if NATO is just about us defending Europe if they're attacked but then denying us basing rights when we need them, that's not a very good arrangement," Rubio told Al Jazeera.

"That's a hard one to stay engaged in and say this is good for the United States. So, all of that is going to have to be reexamined," he added.