Spanish Foreign Minister, Jose Manuel Albares, on Thursday, condemned Israel’s Wednesday airstrikes on Lebanon, accusing Israel of violating both international law and the terms of the recently brokered two-week Middle East ceasefire, according to Reuters.
Spain has positioned itself as one of the most outspoken Western critics of US and Israeli hostilities in the Middle East, having closed its airspace to aircraft engaged in what Madrid has denounced as a “reckless and illegal” conflict.
War in Iran
On February 28, the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran, targeting its leadership and triggering a new conflict in the Middle East.
Iran has been responding with a retaliatory counterattack in Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi as a retaliatory move, while launching barrages of missiles and drones toward Israel.
The conflict has spread across the Middle East, leaving thousands dead, triggering unprecedented disruptions to energy supplies especially after the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
Airspace Closure
Spain has tightened its restrictions on US military operations linked to strikes on Iran, with Defense Minister Margarita Robles declaring that her country has closed its airspace to American aircraft involved in the attacks.
“Yesterday we saw how Israel, flouting the ceasefire and in violation of international law, dropped hundreds of bombs on Lebanon,” Albares told lawmakers in the lower house.
This move followed Spain’s earlier refusal to permit the use of jointly operated bases.
“We don’t authorize either the use of military bases or the use of airspace for actions related to the war in Iran,” Robles told reporters in Madrid.
This measure compels military aircraft to bypass Spain on their way to targets in the Middle East, although it does not apply in emergency situations.
Earlier on Thursday, Albares unveiled that Spain would reopen its embassy in Tehran, saying the move that seeks to boost diplomatic engagement and encourage to peace efforts in the region.
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Israel Escalates Beirut Strikes as Trump Says Lebanon ‘Not Included’ in Ceasefire
Israel Backs Trump’s Iran Ceasefire but Keeps Lebanon Off Limits
Saudi Arabia Welcomes Ceasefire Between US, Iran
