Spain has closed its airspace to United States (US) military aircraft involved in the war in Iran, according to Spanish newspaper El Pais.
Citing military sources on March 30, 2026, El Pais reported that the ban applies to flights originating from Spanish territory as well as overflights by US aircraft based in third countries such as the United Kingdom or France. The restriction does not apply to emergency situations.
Spain previously confirmed that it would not allow its bases to be used for attacks on Iran, however today’s reported news goes further and could prompt more criticism from US President Donald Trump.
President Trump scorned Spain earlier this month after the government announced that its military bases would not be accessible to US planes as launch pads for strikes on Iran or refueling fighter jets midflight.
El Pais that the Spanish bases are still being used to assist US military aircraft in other roles that do not support its operations against Iran in the Middle East.
According to Reuters, Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo said during an interview with Cadena Ser, that the “decision is part of the decision already made by the Spanish government” to not be drawn into a war that was “initiated unilaterally and against international law”.
In early March 2026, at least 15 US military aircraft were recorded leaving two bases in southern Spain after Spain said the facilities cannot be used to support attacks on Iran. Naval Station Rota and Moron Air Base are jointly operated with the United States but fall under Spanish sovereignty, giving Madrid effective veto power over their use in combat operations.
Despite the friction, Defense Minister Margarita Robles said on March 30, 2026, that she does not expect the United States to withdraw from Spanish bases. Routine US military activity under the bilateral defense agreement continues. Spain has also contributed to allied operations in the eastern Mediterranean, deploying the frigate Cristobal Colon to Cyprus.
Countries including the UK have been reluctant to allow US military aircraft to use airbases under their control in strikes against Iran, believing that the conflict was not the right path ahead.
The US are permitted to use UK airbases to hit Iranian targets that put British lives and interests at risk and to strike Iranian positions that are being used to threaten the Strait of Hormuz.
B-52H Stratofortress and B-1B Lancer bombers flying from RAF Fairford in the UK have used two main transit corridors to reach the Middle East since the campaign began on February 28, 2026.
One route runs southwest over the Atlantic, passing west of the Iberian Peninsula before turning east through the Strait of Gibraltar
The other heads south through French airspace to the Mediterranean. The French routing remains available, though Paris has not issued a blanket clearance for all Epic Fury overflights.
