White House Announces Spain Agrees to Cooperate with US Military After Trump's Threats
The White House, through its spokesperson Karoline Leavitt, stated that Spain has agreed to cooperate with US military forces amid the crisis with Iran, after Pedro Sánchez initially denied the use of the Rota and Morón air bases. There is no immediate confirmation from Madrid.
White House: Spain has agreed to cooperate with the US military in operations against Iran.
The White House announced this afternoon that Spain has agreed to cooperate with U.S. military forces, seemingly reversing its initial stance of refusing to allow the use of the joint bases in Rota (Cádiz) and Morón (Seville) to support Operation Epic Fury against the Iranian regime. Presidential spokesperson Karoline Leavitt stated at a press conference that “Spain has agreed to cooperate with the U.S. military,” following days of extreme tension caused by the initial refusal of Pedro Sánchez’s government.
The announcement comes just 24 hours after President Donald Trump threatened a total trade embargo against Spain, calling it a “terrible” ally and ordering Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to “cut off all dealings” with Madrid for not allowing the use of the bases for logistical and resupply missions in the campaign against Iran. According to White House sources, the agreement would include at least limited logistical support from the Spanish facilities, although the exact terms were not detailed, nor was it specified whether it implies full authorization for offensive operations. The statement comes amid intense pressure: the US had relocated around 15 aircraft (mainly KC-135 tankers) from Rota and Morón to bases in Germany and France following Spain's refusal, temporarily complicating the logistics of airstrikes. There has been no immediate official confirmation from Madrid of the change in position.
President Pedro Sánchez reiterated his "no to war" stance in recent hours and warned that Spain will not be a "vassal" of any power, while Vice President María Jesús Montero emphasized national sovereignty and compliance with international law. Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares had previously insisted that the bases would only be used within the framework of bilateral agreements and the UN Charter, without support for unilateral actions. The Spanish opposition and pro-NATO sectors interpret the White House announcement as a diplomatic victory for Trump, forced by economic threats—bilateral trade exceeds €40 billion annually—and internal pressure in Spain.
Critics of the Sánchez government accuse him of having given in to blackmail, while sources close to the Executive suggest that any “cooperation” would be strictly humanitarian or for routine maintenance, without direct involvement in the bombings. The European Union, for its part, has backed Spain against Trump's trade threats, with the European Commission stating that it will defend the bloc's interests and reiterating that trade policy is the exclusive competence of the EU. Leaders such as Emmanuel Macron and António Costa have expressed solidarity with Sánchez in recent telephone conversations.
The announcement generates uncertainty: if confirmed, it could ease transatlantic tensions and facilitate US logistics in the war against Iran; if Madrid denies it or drastically limits it, the diplomatic standoff could escalate toward real sanctions or a further fracture within NATO. For now, the White House presents the agreement as a fait accompli, while Spain maintains official silence, leaving the outcome up in the air amidst the escalating conflict in the Middle East.
White House: ???????????????? Spain has agreed to cooperate with the US military. pic.twitter.com/yNvyFujDZF — Donald J Trump Posts TruthSocial (@TruthTrumpPost) March 4, 2026
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