Spain has barred the United States from using its jointly operated military bases on Spanish soil for attacks on Iran, as tensions escalate following weekend strikes by Washington and Israel.

The move comes after fifteen U.S. aircraft departed from the Rota and Moron military bases in southern Spain, according to flight maps published by FlightRadar24 on Monday. The aircraft left shortly after the U.S. and Israel launched attacks on Iran over the weekend.

Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said Spain would not permit its bases to be used in operations against Iran. Although the facilities are jointly operated by the U.S. and Spain, they remain under Spanish sovereignty. Madrid has already condemned the attacks.

“Spanish bases are not being used for this operation, and they will not be used for anything not included in the agreement with the United States or for anything that is not in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations,” Albares said, speaking to Spanish broadcaster Telecinco.

At least seven of the aircraft were shown on FlightRadar24 as having landed at Ramstein Air Base.

Defence Minister Margarita Robles said the aircraft — primarily aerial refuelling tankers, including the Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker — had been permanently stationed in Spain.

FlightRadar24’s tracking data indicated that nine tankers departed on Sunday from Moron airbase in southern Spain and headed towards Germany. Two flights left Rota, a naval base with an airfield, heading towards southern France, while a further four flights departed from Rota, but their routes were not displayed.

Britain had also initially refused to allow the use of its bases for strikes on Iran. However, on Sunday, Prime Minister Keir Starmer authorised their use for “collective self-defence”.

Spain’s position, alongside the strong condemnation of the U.S.-Israeli actions by Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, sets it apart from several of its regional partners and could further strain diplomatic ties with Washington. (Reuters)

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