Spain Rejects Role in Iran War, Calls It "Colossal Mistake"
Addressing parliament, he stated: “This war is a colossal mistake whose humanitarian, moral, economic, and security costs we neither accept nor are willing to pay.” He emphasized that Spain refuses to be drawn into what he views as an unjustified military engagement.
Sanchez argued that the current situation is even more severe than the 2003 Iraq war, warning that its implications could be broader and more far-reaching. “Unfortunately, history repeats itself, but this time not as farce, but as tragedy … instead of Iraq, we have Iran,” he said, drawing a parallel between past and present conflicts and referencing leadership shifts compared to that earlier war.
He further warned that the scale of the current confrontation could surpass previous conflicts in both scope and impact. “We are not facing the same scenario as in the illegal war in Iraq. We are facing something much worse with a potential impact that is much broader and much deeper,” he added.
Explaining Spain’s position regarding military cooperation, Sanchez said the government has refused to allow the United States to use its Rota Naval Base and Moron Air Base for operations linked to Iran, including refueling activities. “We are a sovereign country that does not want to take part in illegal wars,” he said.
To mitigate the domestic economic consequences of the conflict, the Spanish government has introduced a €5 billion (over $5.8 billion) support package aimed at protecting households and businesses through financial aid, tax relief, and other measures. Sanchez described it as “the largest social safety net in the entire European Union.”
He warned that the effects of the war are already being felt economically, stating, “Every bomb that falls in the Middle East ends up hitting – and we’re already seeing it – our families' wallets.”
The prime minister concluded by urging restraint internationally, arguing that another large-scale conflict would serve limited interests rather than the global community. He said the world should avoid what he described as another “illegal, absurd, cruel war,” and noted that Spain’s position reflects longstanding public sentiment rooted in opposition to the 2003 Iraq invasion, a stance he said remains consistent as the current conflict, which began after strikes on Iran on Feb. 28, continues to evolve.
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