\n<\/p>\n
MADRID — <\/span>Spain has closed its airspace to U.S. planes involved in the Iran war, Defense Minister Margarita Robles said Monday, marking another step in the country’s opposition to the U.S. and Israel’s conflict in the Middle East.<\/p>\n Spain<\/a> had already said the U.S. could not use jointly operated military bases in the Iran conflict, which Spanish Prime Minister Pedro S\u00e1nchez has described as illegal, reckless and unjust.<\/p>\n Defense Minister Robles said Monday the same logic applied to the use of Spanish airspace in the conflict. <\/p>\n \u201cThis was made perfectly clear to the American military and forces from the very beginning. Therefore, neither the bases are authorized, nor, of course, is the use of Spanish airspace authorized for any actions related to the war in Iran,\u201d Robles told reporters. Spanish newspaper El Pais first reported the closure of Spain\u2019s airspace, citing military sources.<\/p>\n Spain\u2019s government under S\u00e1nchez has been Europe\u2019s loudest opposing voice against U.S. and Israeli military actions in the Middle East. <\/p>\n After S\u00e1nchez’s government denied the U.S. use of the Rota and Mor\u00f3n military bases in southern Spain, U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to cut trade<\/a> with Madrid. <\/p>\n S\u00e1nchez was also among the most vocal critics of Israel’s actions in its war in Gaza. <\/p>\n \u201cI think everyone knows Spain\u2019s position; it\u2019s very clear,\u201d Robles said, calling the war in Iran \u201cprofoundly illegal and profoundly unjust.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n