Headlines
White house: Spain has agreed to cooperate with US military
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on March 4, 2026
2 min readLast updated: March 4, 2026
Quick Summary
Spain initially refused U.S. military use of its bases for strikes on Iran, prompting Trump’s trade threat; hours later the White House claimed Spain had agreed to cooperate, while Madrid reaffirmed its “no to war” stance and EU solidarity strengthened.
White House says Spain has agreed to cooperate but Madrid denies
Dispute Over U.S.-Spain Military Cooperation Amid Iran Conflict
WASHINGTON, March 4 (Reuters) - The White House said on Wednesday that Spain has agreed to cooperate with the U.S. military after President Donald Trump threatened to cut off trade, but Spain denied making such a deal.
Trump's Threats and White House Statements
Trump on Tuesday had vowed to sever trade with Madrid over its stance against the U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran. Asked about the issue on Wednesday, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said she had been told that Spain had relented.
Press Briefing Details
"I think they heard the president's message yesterday loud and clear. It is my understanding over the past several hours they've agreed to cooperate with the U.S. military," Leavitt told a news briefing.
She did not elaborate.
Spain's Official Response
Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares denied Spain had made such an agreement.
Albares' Denial
"I categorically deny it. I heard about these statements on my way here, and I've had time to look into them and listen to them a little," Albares told Spanish radio station Cadena Ser.
Spain's Position on the Middle East Conflict
"The Spanish government's position on the war in the Middle East and the bombing of Iran regarding the use of our bases has not changed at all. Therefore, I categorically and sincerely deny it. I have no idea what this could refer to or where it could have come from."
Background and Reactions
Trump floated imposing a trade embargo on Madrid over its refusal to allow U.S. aircraft to use jointly operated naval and air bases in southern Spain for the offensive against Tehran. Spain has denounced the U.S. and Israeli bombings of Iran as reckless and illegal.
Spanish Leadership's Statements
Spain "will not be vassals" to another country, Deputy Prime Minister Maria Jesus Montero said on Wednesday. In a televised address earlier, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez reiterated Spain's anti-war stance, warning that the conflict risked triggering a major global disaster.
(Reporting by Steve Holland and Humeyra Pamuk in Washington and Jesus Aguado in Madrid; Editing by David Ljunggren and Daniel Wallis)
Key Takeaways
- •Spain denied U.S. use of its Rota and Morón bases for Iran operations, calling the strike unilateral and illegal (theguardian.com).
- •President Trump responded by threatening to cut off all trade with Spain, labeling it a “terrible” ally (apnews.com).
- •White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt later said Spain had agreed to cooperate militarily, though Spain’s Prime Minister Sánchez reiterated a firm “no to war” and EU officials pledged to defend Spain as part of unified trade policy (elpais.com)
References
Frequently Asked Questions about White House: Spain has agreed to cooperate with US military
1Why did Spain agree to cooperate with the US military?
Spain agreed to cooperate after President Trump threatened a trade embargo due to Spain's refusal to allow US aircraft to use bases in southern Spain.
2What triggered the US threat of a trade embargo on Spain?
The threat was made after Spain refused to allow US forces to use jointly operated naval and air bases for strikes against Iran.
3What is Spain's official stance on the US-Israeli strikes on Iran?
Spain denounced the US and Israeli strikes as reckless and illegal, reiterating an anti-war stance.
4Who confirmed Spain's agreement to cooperate with the US military?
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed Spain's agreement at a news briefing.
5How did Spanish officials respond to US pressure?
Deputy Prime Minister Maria Jesus Montero said Spain 'will not be vassals,' and Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez warned of global disaster risks.
