During a tense White House meeting on Tuesday, former President Donald Trump issued a sharp warning to Spain, threatening to cut off all trade with the country. His threat came in response to Spain’s firm opposition to “Operation Epic Fury,” the U.S.-led campaign targeting Iran.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez immediately stood his ground, declaring in a televised address: “We say no to war.” He emphasized that joining the U.S. and Israel in military action against Iran would violate Spain’s core values and principles. Sánchez added that he would not compromise these principles “out of fear of reprisals from others.”
The Spanish leader drew parallels between the proposed U.S. strikes on Iran and past conflicts, including the 2004 Iraq invasion, which caused the deaths of more than 450,000 civilians. He said Spain’s stance on Iran aligns with its positions on the Russia-Ukraine war and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, asserting: “No to the breakdown of international law. No to assuming that the world can only solve its problems through bombs. No to repeating the mistakes of the past … We say no to war.”
While Sánchez did not comment on the potential outcome of removing Iran’s leadership, he warned that such actions would not guarantee a fairer international order, higher wages, better public services, or a healthier environment. He also highlighted the economic consequences, noting likely increases in oil and gas prices and overall uncertainty for citizens. “Governments are here to improve people’s lives, not make them worse,” he stated.
Spain has already prohibited the U.S. from using jointly operated military bases within its territory for attacks on Iran, prompting Trump’s ultimatum: “We’re going to cut off all trade with Spain. We don’t want anything to do with Spain.”
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