Pedro Sánchez, Prime Minister of Spain, has declared that his government will not support actions that violate international law or threaten global peace, amid rising tensions with the United States.
Sánchez made the remarks on Wednesday after Donald Trump announced plans to halt all trade with Spain following a dispute over military cooperation.
The row began on Monday when Spain reportedly denied the US permission to use jointly operated military bases on its territory for potential strikes against Iran.
Reacting to the decision, Trump criticised Spain on Tuesday, describing the country as “very uncooperative” and a “terrible partner”.
The US president said Washington would respond by ending trade relations with the European nation. He also instructed Scott Bessent, the US treasury secretary, to “cut off all dealings” with Spain.
Despite the threat, the Spanish government said it has the capacity to withstand the impact of a possible US trade embargo.
“The position of the Spanish government can be summed up in four words: no to war,” Sánchez told reporters.
He explained that Spain’s stance mirrors its position on conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza Strip.
According to him, Spain opposes any breach of international law, particularly actions that endanger civilians.
“Firstly, no to the breaking of international law that protects us all – especially the most defenceless, the civilian population,” Sánchez said.
“Secondly, no to assuming that the world can only solve its problems through conflict, through bombs.”
The Spanish leader also dismissed suggestions that the debate was about supporting Iran’s leadership.
“The question is not whether or not we are in favour of the ayatollahs; nobody is,” he said.
“Certainly, the Spanish people are not, and neither is the Spanish government. The real question is whether we stand on the side of international legality and therefore peace.”
Sánchez warned against repeating the mistakes of the past, referencing the 2003 invasion of Iraq led by former US president George W. Bush.
The war targeted the regime of Saddam Hussein over allegations of developing weapons of mass destruction.
Spain and United Kingdom joined the US-led invasion at the time, but Sánchez argued that the conflict had the opposite effect.
According to him, the war unleashed “the greatest wave of insecurity that our continent has suffered since the fall of the Berlin Wall”.
He urged the US, Israel and Iran to end the escalating conflict before it spirals further.
“Let us stop this before it is too late,” the Spanish prime minister said.
