Headlines
US aircraft leave Spain after government says bases cannot be used for Iran attacks
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on March 2, 2026
2 min readLast updated: March 2, 2026
Quick Summary
Fifteen U.S. aircraft left Spain after Madrid barred use of its bases for attacks on Iran following recent U.S. and Israeli strikes. Spain’s decision highlights tensions with Washington and its unique stance in Europe. [Reuters](www.reuters.com/world/us-aircraft-leave-spain-after-government-
US Military Aircraft Exit Spanish Bases After Iran Attack Restrictions
US Aircraft Movements and Spanish Government Response
MADRID, March 2 (Reuters) - Fifteen U.S. aircraft have left the Rota and Moron military bases in southern Spain since the U.S. and Israel launched weekend attacks on Iran, maps by flight tracking website FlightRadar24 showed on Monday.
Spanish Government's Position on Base Usage
Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said Spain would not allow its military bases, which are jointly operated by the U.S. and Spain but under Spanish sovereignty, to be used for attacks on Iran, which Spain has condemned.
Aircraft Destinations After Departure
At least seven of the aircraft were shown on FlightRadar24 as having landed at Ramstein Air Base in Germany.
International Reactions and Base Usage Policies
Britain had also initially refused to allow the use of its bases for an attack on Iran, but on Sunday Prime Minister Keir Starmer authorised their use for "collective self-defence".
Implications for Spain-US Relations
Spain's stance and the emphatic condemnation of the U.S-Israeli actions in Iran by Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez once again make it an outlier in the region, potentially straining its relationship with Washington further.
Official Statements from Spanish Ministers
"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.
Details on Aircraft Types and Movements
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 website showed nine tankers departed on Sunday from the Moron airbase in southern Spain and headed towards Germany.
Two flights departed from Rota, a naval base with an airfield, towards southern France, FlightRadar24 showed. A further four flights departed from Rota but their route was not shown.
Reporting Credits
(Reporting by Victoria Waldersee, David Latona, Elena Rodriguez, Emma Pinedo; Editing by Alex Richardson)
Key Takeaways
- •Spain refused U.S. use of Rota and Moron bases for attacks on Iran, emphasizing its sovereignty and UN Charter obligations.
- •Most departing U.S. aircraft were refuelling tankers, with at least seven landing at Germany’s Ramstein base.
- •Spain's position on the U.S.-Israeli operation sets it apart in Europe, risking further strain in its relationship with Washington.
Frequently Asked Questions about US aircraft leave Spain after government says bases cannot be used for Iran attacks
1Why did US aircraft leave Spain's Rota and Moron bases?
US aircraft left after Spain denied their use for attacks on Iran, following diplomatic objections to military action.
2How many US aircraft departed from Spanish bases?
Fifteen US aircraft departed from Rota and Moron military bases in southern Spain.
3Where did the US aircraft go after leaving Spain?
At least seven aircraft landed at Ramstein Air Base in Germany, while others went to southern France or undisclosed locations.
4What type of aircraft were involved in the departures?
The aircraft included primarily aerial refuelling tankers such as the Boeing KC-135 'Stratotanker.'
5What is Spain's position on using its bases for foreign military action?
Spain will not allow its bases to be used for attacks not in accordance with its agreement with the US or the UN Charter.
