Spain closes its airspace to any aircraft involved in the war in Iran

Eduardo González The government has closed Spanish airspace to any aircraft involved in the war in Iran, according to government sources who spoke to several media outlets and were confirmed this Monday by Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares and Defense Minister Margarita Robles. According to the sources, this measure will not only affect the use of the Rota and Morón military bases, but also aircraft linked to the attacks against Iran, which will not be allowed to fly over Spanish airspace. This prohibition applies both to takeoffs from Spanish soil and to overflights by military aircraft originating from bases in the United Kingdom or France. In this regard, Robles confirmed this Monday that both the Rota and Morón bases and Spanish airspace are closed to any use related to this “profoundly illegal and unjust” war. “From the very beginning, this was made perfectly clear to the American side and the American forces, and therefore neither the bases are authorized, nor, of course, is the use of Spanish airspace authorized for any operations related to the war in Iran,” the minister told the press after participating in Madrid in the presentation of the IN+DEF program, the new open training and innovation ecosystem for the defense industry. For his part, Albares stated this Monday on the program ‘El món’ on RAC1 that the Government’s objective is “not to do anything that could increase or encourage an escalation in this war,” as was done with the prohibition of the use of Morón and Rota. “These are bases under Spanish sovereignty and are governed by a Spanish-American agreement that, incidentally, cites the principles of the Charter of the United Nations,” he reminded listeners. Regarding whether this decision could provoke a harsh response from US President Donald Trump, Albares warned that “what Spain is doing is applying the principles of the Charter of the United Nations” against a war that Spaniards “overwhelmingly” oppose and that “only brings negative consequences for Spaniards and Europeans.” “Therefore, why should defending international law, defending the interests of your citizens, and also defending and promoting the values of your citizens receive any kind of reproach or sanction? Absolutely not, and certainly nothing indicates that this will be the case,” he added. Attacks on UNIFIL Furthermore, the Government condemned on Monday the latest attacks against the UN contingent in Lebanon (UNIFIL), which resulted in the deaths of three Indonesian soldiers, and conveyed “its deepest condolences to the families and loved ones, as well as to the Government and people of Indonesia.” “The Government of Spain urges compliance with Resolution 1701, respect for international law and international humanitarian law, and protection of the safety of peacekeeping forces,” the statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs continued. “Spain urges full respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Lebanon, as an indispensable condition for peace and security in the region, and reaffirms its commitment to continue supporting the courageous measures taken by the Government of Lebanon to restore its monopoly on the use of force,” it concluded.

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