From Fox News: A growing standoff between President Donald Trump and a key NATO ally escalated Monday after Spain blocked U.S. military aircraft involved in the Iran conflict from using its airspace, marking the latest rupture between Washington and Madrid over defense policy and the war in the Middle East.
Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles confirmed the move, saying Spain has denied both airspace access and the use of joint U.S.-Spanish bases for any operations tied to the Iran conflict.
“This was made perfectly clear to the American military and forces from the very beginning,” Robles said. “Neither the bases are authorized, nor, of course, is the use of Spanish airspace authorized for any actions related to the war in Iran.”
Spain already had refused to allow U.S. forces to use the strategically critical Rota and Morón bases in southern Spain, installations long viewed as key hubs for American military operations into Europe, Africa and the Middle East. The expansion of that restriction to Spanish airspace effectively cuts off another logistical pathway for U.S. operations and signals that Madrid is willing to directly limit U.S. military movement despite its NATO membership.
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Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the U.S. will have to re-examine its relationship with Spain when the Iranian conflict is over.
“It’s disappointing to see that in a time of need for the United States, we have countries like Spain, a NATO member that we are pledged to defend, denying us the use of their airspace and bragging about it,” he said.
SECRETARY RUBIO: It’s disappointing to see that in a time of need for the United States, we have countries like Spain, a NATO member that we are pledged to defend, denying us the use of their airspace and bragging about it. pic.twitter.com/IpNHT1QzYD
— Department of State (@StateDept) March 30, 2026
Sen. Lindsey Graham responded to the news with the following statement:
I would highly encourage President Trump to not let the Spanish government’s decision to restrict their air space to the U.S. military go unanswered.
Spain clearly doesn’t understand the importance of degrading the largest state sponsor of terrorism that has wreaked havoc on the world since 1979. I will gladly work with anyone to impose sanctions on Spain for this outrage.
I would again recommend to President Trump that we close U.S. air bases in Spain and relocate to a country that allows these assets to be used to protect America and the world. The sooner this is done, the better.
I would highly encourage President Trump to not let the Spanish government’s decision to restrict their air space to the U.S. military go unanswered.
Spain clearly doesn’t understand the importance of degrading the largest state sponsor of terrorism that has wreaked havoc on… https://t.co/zUgdQqVf7p
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) March 30, 2026
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