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The White House claimed on Wednesday that Spain had agreed to cooperate with the U.S. military after President Donald Trump warned Madrid of possible trade consequences, but Spanish officials quickly rejected the statement and denied any such agreement.
During a press briefing, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Spain appeared to have responded to Trump’s warning about trade relations. She stated that, according to information she received, Spanish authorities had decided to cooperate with the U.S. military in the past several hours. However, Leavitt did not provide further details about what the alleged cooperation would involve.
The statement came a day after Trump threatened to sever trade ties with Spain. The warning followed Spain’s criticism of the recent U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran and its refusal to allow American military aircraft to use joint naval and air bases located in southern Spain.
Spain’s Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares quickly denied the White House claim, stating that the Spanish government had not changed its position regarding the conflict in the Middle East. In an interview with Spanish radio station Cadena Ser, Albares said he had reviewed the statements made by the White House and could not confirm any agreement between Madrid and Washington.
Albares emphasized that Spain’s stance on the war in the Middle East and the bombing of Iran remains unchanged. He said the government had not authorized the use of Spanish bases for military operations linked to the strikes on Tehran and had no knowledge of any deal with the United States.
The dispute highlights growing tensions between the two allies over the escalating Iran conflict. Spain has openly criticized the U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran, describing them as reckless and illegal.
Deputy Prime Minister Maria Jesus Montero reinforced Spain’s position, stating that the country would not act as a “vassal” to any foreign power. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez warned that the expanding conflict in the Middle East could trigger a wider global crisis if tensions continue to escalate.
