The Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has given a strong rebuttal to US President Donald Trump in response to his threats of suspending trade following Spain’s refusal to allow U.S. to use joint bases against attacks on Iran.
Prime Minister Sanchez expressed his government’s opposition to war and what he called the breakdown of the international law in a 10-minute televised address. In the same address, he reflected on the wars in the Ukraine and Gaza as well as Iraq more than 20 years ago and said that the government’s position can be summed up in four words, “no to war.”
“We’re not going to be complicit in something that’s bad for the world nor contrary to our values and interests simply to avoid reprisals from someone,” Sanchez said, appearing to reference Trump’s trade threats.
“This is how humanity’s great disasters start … You cannot play Russian roulette with destiny of millions,” Sanchez said in a televised address to the nation.
Following the refusal of Spain to use jointly run bases at Moron and Rotafer for strikes on Iran, Trump had threatened to impose a full trade embargo on Spain.
“Spain has been terrible”, said Trump said during a meeting with German Chancellor Frederick Merz on Tuesday. “We are going to cut off all trade with Spain and we do not want anything to do with Spain,” he added.
Merz said later, He had told Trump very evidently that he could not conclude a separate agreement with Germany or all of Europe, but not with Spain.
Trump had also accused Spain of being a terrible partner in NATO for failing to increase its defence budget in line with the target of 5% economic output. Sánchez added that the government is thoroughly reviewing economic measures to counter the impact of the conflict on Spaniards.
Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez on Iran:
Twenty-three years ago, another US administration dragged us into a war in the Middle East. A war that, in theory, it was said at the time, was being fought to eliminate Saddam Hussein’s weapons of mass destruction, bring democracy and ensure… pic.twitter.com/bdQNw3cxo4
— Russian Market (@runews) March 4, 2026
He asserted that one illegality could not be met with another, speaking of the disaster of the war in the Middle East two days after he had appealed for both sides to pull back from conflict and respect the international law. Spain has been a vociferous critic of Israel’s military campaign against Hamas in Gaza following the attack following the October 7 attack 2023.
He recalled the invasion of Iraq in 2023 which he said had failed to achieve its goal and had made life worse for the ordinary people. He warned that the attacks on Iran could have similar economic impacts on millions, especially for Europe.
“It’s unacceptable that some presidents use the fog of war to cover up their failures,” said Sánchez.
He added: “The question is not if we are on the side of the ayatollahs – nobody is. The question is whether we are in favour of peace and international legality.”
Sanchez has called the attack on Iran a violation of international law and an unjustified and dangerous military intervention.
Trump threatens Pedro Sanchez, Spain
Following the refusal by this Spain, U.S. relocated fifteen aircraft including refueling tankers from the Rota and Moron military bases in southern Spain.
“I could tomorrow – or today, even better – stop everything having to do with Spain, all business having to do with Spain,” Trump said on Tuesday.
“Spain actually said that we can’t use their bases… which we could use if we wanted to,” he said. “We could fly in and use it, no one is going to tell us not to use it.”
Spain is among the leading voice demanding the end of Israeli atrocities in Gaza.
