Robles addresses the Eastern Flank and Middle East with Spanish contingents in Turkey and Iraq

The Diplomat Defense Minister Margarita Robles held a videoconference this Tuesday with the Spanish contingents deployed as part of NATO operations in Turkey and Iraq. During the meeting, she reiterated Spain's firm commitment to protecting the Eastern Flank and Middle East, a region critical to Euro-Atlantic security. At the meeting, held at the Ministry headquarters, Robles spoke with Lieutenant Colonel Leonardo Toledo, head of the NATO IAMD-Persistent Effort operation in Turkey. The Minister described the mission as "very important, both for what it entails and for its symbolic significance, which is Spain's commitment in a very challenging area in terms of air defense." "We are in a situation of unstable calm on this geopolitical chessboard," Lieutenant Colonel Toledo stated regarding the mission, in which Spain has participated since 2015 with a Patriot battery deployed at Incirlik Air Base. The head of the Spanish contingent explained that, although there have been no launches affecting Turkish territory since the ceasefire in the area, monitoring continues constantly. This contingent, comprised of 138 military personnel, has adapted its missions following the events of February 2026, expanding its defense capabilities to guarantee the protection of allied airspace. As a consequence of these events, Turkish anti-aircraft systems and a US Patriot unit have also been deployed. The lieutenant colonel explained that "the American military personnel were impressed with our system and thanked the Spanish contingent." In this regard, the Minister of Defense stated that Turkey finds the Spanish presence in the country very reassuring. "It is always a source of pride to see Spain's effort and dedication," she affirmed. Iraq Regarding NATO Mission Iraq (NMI), its operational status has evolved into a phase of Headquarters reconfiguration at the Joint Force Command in Naples, as a consequence of the start of the conflict between the United States and Iran. The core command consists of 66 personnel, 23 of whom are Spanish, and maintains its advisory and planning capabilities under the command of Lieutenant General Ramón Armada, who participated today in the meeting with the Minister, who affirmed that we will continue to provide operational support to this mission. Also participating in the videoconference were the Secretary General for Defense Policy, Admiral Juan Francisco Martínez Núñez, and the Commander of the Operations Command, Lieutenant General José Antonio Agüero.

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