Spain Rejects Hormuz Strait Military Mission

Madrid, Spain — Spain announced on Monday that it will not participate in any military mission in the Strait of Hormuz, citing the ongoing U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran as illegal under international law. The decision, conveyed by Defense Minister Margarita Robles and Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares, underscores Madrid's broader criticism of the offensive and its refusal to provide logistical support to the United States.

The Spanish government, a coalition led by Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, has taken a firm stance against involvement. It has already prohibited U.S. aircraft participating in the operations from accessing jointly operated air bases in southern Spain, such as those at Moron and Rota. This move comes amid escalating tensions in the strait, a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments, where Iranian forces have effectively restricted tanker traffic in response to the conflict.

Robles directly addressed a recent appeal from U.S. President Donald Trump, who urged NATO allies to contribute forces to secure the waterway and warned of a "very bad future" for those who decline. "Spain will never accept any stopgap measures, because the objective must be for the...