Madrid, March 3, 2026 – Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares forcefully advocated for de-escalation, negotiation, and strict adherence to international law in response to the ongoing U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran, while firmly rejecting accusations from Israel that Spain is aligning with authoritarian regimes.
In remarks to reporters following a meeting of the Spanish Council of Ministers, Albares described the large-scale airstrikes launched by the United States and Israel on Saturday, February 28, as having triggered “a new cycle of violence, conflict and instability” across the Middle East. He warned that the consequences of the operation— which resulted in the deaths of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and hundreds of other Iranian officials and military personnel—remain unpredictable and risk further regional destabilization.
“We cannot resign ourselves to war becoming the natural way to establish a balance of power in the Middle East,” Albares declared. He emphasized that “violence never brings peace, stability, or democracy. It brings more violence and chaos,” while also explicitly condemning Iran’s retaliatory drone and missile strikes against Israel and U.S. military facilities in Gulf countries.
Albares called on the European Union to adopt a unified position centered on “balance and reason.” He stressed Spain’s active diplomatic efforts to promote dialogue and restraint, framing the current crisis as a test of the bloc’s ability to act independently in defense of international norms.
The minister directly addressed criticism leveled by Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, who had accused Spain of “standing with all the tyrants of the world” due to its vocal opposition to the Iran strikes. Albares dismissed the remark as “absurd and ridiculous,” insisting that Spain’s foreign policy remains consistent and principled.
“Spain’s foreign policy is coherent. We defend peace, global stability, international law and the UN Charter – in Ukraine, Gaza, Venezuela, Greenland, and Iran,” he stated, citing a range of global flashpoints where Madrid has consistently advocated for multilateral solutions and respect for sovereignty.
Albares pushed back against suggestions that Spain’s stance could isolate it within the European Union. He drew parallels to Spain’s earlier recognition of the State of Palestine in May 2024 and its criticism of Israel’s military operations in Gaza, noting that initial perceptions of isolation proved short-lived.
“When they said we were alone, we were leading an immense majority that later joined us,” he said, asserting that the government’s current position reflects “the overwhelming majority of Spaniards and many countries around the world.”
On the military front, Albares reiterated Spain’s refusal to permit the use of its jointly operated bases with the United States—primarily at Rota (naval station) and Morón (air base)—for offensive operations against Iran. He clarified that the facilities remain under Spanish sovereignty in accordance with the 1988 bilateral Defense Cooperation Agreement and its subsequent amendments.
“There is nothing strange or surprising” about this decision, Albares said, adding that no adverse consequences are anticipated from Washington. He underscored Spain’s unwavering commitment to NATO and Euro-Atlantic security, pointing to ongoing deployments including enhanced forward presence battlegroups in the Baltic states, participation in the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), and contributions to coalition efforts in Iraq.
The foreign minister also highlighted the safety of Spanish nationals in the region as an “absolute priority.” More than 30,000 Spaniards are currently present in affected countries, including significant communities in the United Arab Emirates, Israel, Lebanon, and other Gulf states. Evacuation operations are actively underway.
Albares confirmed that 175 individuals were successfully repatriated from Abu Dhabi on Tuesday morning, with additional charter flights scheduled from the UAE and Istanbul later in the day. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation is coordinating closely with airlines, embassies, and defense authorities to facilitate departures amid widespread airspace restrictions and heightened security risks.
Spain’s position stands in contrast to several other European governments. France, under President Emmanuel Macron, has outlined an “advanced nuclear deterrence” posture with a European dimension, signaling potential support for defensive measures against Iranian threats. Germany, the United Kingdom, Poland, and others have expressed varying degrees of alignment with U.S. and Israeli objectives, particularly regarding the degradation of Iran’s nuclear and missile programs.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has maintained that the alliance as an institution is not involved in the conflict, though he has described the initial strikes as contributing to European security by weakening Iran’s offensive capabilities. Individual member states, however, retain discretion over bilateral support.
The crisis continues to unfold with daily exchanges of fire. Iranian retaliatory barrages have targeted Israeli military sites and U.S. bases in Bahrain, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, causing casualties, infrastructure damage, and disruptions to global energy markets. Hezbollah has intensified rocket attacks from Lebanon, while sporadic incidents have been reported in Syria and Iraq. Diplomatic channels remain strained, with limited prospects for immediate ceasefire talks.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s government has consistently positioned Spain as a proponent of multilateralism and conflict prevention. The stance aligns with long-standing Spanish foreign policy priorities, including strong support for the United Nations, the International Court of Justice, and European strategic autonomy.
As evacuations proceed and diplomatic efforts intensify, Albares reiterated Spain’s readiness to contribute to any credible de-escalation initiative. He called for renewed engagement through the UN Security Council, the EU’s foreign policy mechanisms, and regional actors willing to pursue dialogue.
The coming days are expected to bring further clarity on the scope of European responses, the pace of civilian repatriations, and the trajectory of the conflict. With airspace closures persisting and humanitarian concerns mounting, Spain’s emphasis on diplomacy and international law is likely to remain a central feature of its engagement in the crisis.
