Spain Rejects US Requests to Use Bases for Iran Attacks, Deepening Rift
Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has defiantly refused to allow the use of Spanish bases to attack Iran, drawing the ire of the United States. This move has further strained the relationship between Spain and the US, with the Trump administration threatening to cut off all trade with Spain.

Sanchez, a leftist leader, has taken a strong stance against the war, saying “No to the war” and refusing to be “complicit in something that is harmful to the world and contrary to our values and interests.” He has compared the potential Iran attacks to the Iraq war, which he says increased terrorism and led to a less secure world.

The US uses the Rota naval base and Moron air base in southern Spain under an agreement signed in 1953 during the dictatorship of General Francisco Franco. During the 2003 invasion of Iraq, Spain, then led by conservative prime minister Jose Maria Aznar, supported the US by sending troops. However, this participation in the Iraq war sparked huge street demonstrations in Spain, and many Spaniards blame it for the March 11, 2004 Madrid train bombings that killed nearly 200 people.

Sanchez’s opposition to the use of the bases is seen by some analysts as an attempt to rally his supporters around an issue that unites the Spanish left. The Spanish prime minister has emerged as a prominent figure for Europe’s disillusioned progressives, and his stance on the Iran issue is likely to further bolster his popularity among this group.

The European Union has expressed its full solidarity with Spain, with European Council chief Antonio Costa and French President Emmanuel Macron both calling Sanchez to show their support. This suggests that the EU is willing to stand behind Spain in the face of US threats.

What This Means for Expats:
The growing rift between Spain and the US could have implications for expats living in Kuwait, particularly those with ties to both countries. Expats may need to stay informed about the evolving diplomatic situation and its potential impact on trade and economic relations between the two nations.

Source: Kuwait Times