Spain Rejects US War Flights, Closes Airspace To Aircraft Linked To Iran Operation

Spain has formally barred its airspace from being used by US military aircraft involved in operations against Iran, marking a sharper break with Washington's military campaign in the Middle East and reinforcing Madrid's opposition to the ongoing US-Israeli war.

The latest step comes after the Spanish government moved earlier to deny American forces access to two jointly operated bases in southern Spain for missions connected to strikes on Iran. With the airspace restriction now in place, Spain has widened its resistance from ground facilities to the skies, making it more difficult for US military aircraft to route efficiently towards the region.

Spain Expands Its Stand Against US Military Operations

According to military sources quoted by El Pais, Spanish authorities are now refusing permission for US military planes tied to the war in Iran to pass through Spanish airspace, even when those aircraft are operating out of other allied countries such as the United Kingdom or France.

The decision signals a formal tightening of Spain's policy and underlines the government's determination to distance itself from military actions it considers unlawful. By shutting out transit access, Madrid has effectively added another logistical hurdle for American operations connected to the conflict.

Longer Routes Now Required for US Aircraft

The airspace closure is expected to force changes in flight planning for US military aircraft travelling towards the Middle East.

For example, a US plane departing from RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire and heading towards the conflict zone can no longer take the more direct route across Spanish airspace. Instead, such aircraft would need to pass through French airspace or avoid Spain entirely by flying around the Bay of Biscay and along the Atlantic coastline, before turning east through the Strait of Gibraltar.

This rerouting could complicate operational efficiency and increase travel time for flights linked to the campaign against Iran.

After Blocking Bases, Madrid Moves to Restrict the Skies

The latest action follows Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's earlier decision to stop US forces from using the jointly controlled bases at Rota and Moron in Andalucia for bombing operations related to Iran.

That earlier refusal had already signalled Spain's discomfort with the military campaign. By extending the restriction to airspace access, the government has now made clear that its opposition is not symbolic, but operational.

The move also highlights a growing divergence within Europe over how far allies should support US military activity in the region.

Sanchez Calls the War "Illegal" in Parliament

Addressing parliament on Wednesday, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez directly defended the government's stance and made clear that Spain had rejected every related request from Washington.

"We have denied the United States the use of the bases at Rota and Moron for this illegal war. All flight plans involving actions related to the operation in Iran have been rejected. All of them, including refuelling aircraft," Sanchez told parliament on Wednesday.

His remarks make Spain's position explicit: the government sees the military operation as illegitimate and is using both base access and airspace control to ensure Spanish territory is not used to facilitate it.