Portrait of Pedro Sánchez
Politician · country
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Pedro Sánchez on Iran

Pro-law, anti-war (strong)

TL;DR

Pedro Sánchez firmly opposes the US-led military action against Iran, prioritizing international law and peace over geopolitical alignment.

Key Points

  • He delivered a televised address stating explicitly, “No to the war,” after the US president threatened trade cuts over base access.

  • He has been one of the most vociferous European critics of Israel's conduct in Gaza, accusing the country of actions amounting to extermination.

  • The Spanish government denied Washington the use of Rota and Morón bases for strikes against Tehran, despite US claims of cooperation.

  • His position mirrors past condemnation of the US-backed toppling of Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela, prioritizing international legality.

Summary

Pedro Sánchez, the Spanish prime minister, became one of the few European leaders to openly and emphatically reject the demands of the US president concerning the war against Iran, following threats to cut trade. His core position is based on the view that another conflict in the Middle East would cause loss of life, destabilize the world, and bring dire economic consequences. He explicitly stated that a government’s duty is to protect its citizens, not to manipulate or profit from global conflicts, refusing to be complicit out of fear of reprisals.

His stance is consistent with his previous criticisms of the US's role in other international issues, such as the toppling of Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela and his strong criticism of Israel’s conduct in Gaza. Crucially, Sánchez has actively refused to allow US aircraft to use jointly operated military bases in Spain for strikes against Tehran, a decision he framed with the rallying cry, "No to the war." This defense of international legality, even when facing threats, stands in sharp contrast to the positions taken by many of his European counterparts who sought to appease Washington.

Key Quotes

It is “the same position we have maintained in Ukraine or Gaza”

“We are not going to be complicit in something that is bad for the world and is also contrary to our values and interests, just out of fear of reprisals from someone”

Frequently Asked Questions

Pedro Sánchez strongly opposes the military intervention in Iran, framing it as an unjustifiable and dangerous breach of international law. He emphasized that his government would not be complicit in the action, even under threat of trade repercussions from the US.

No, the Spanish government, led by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, refused to allow US aircraft to use the jointly operated bases in Andalucía for strikes against Iran. This decision led to direct threats of trade action from the US president.

No, the Spanish Foreign Minister has been clear that the government's 'no to war' stance remains unequivocally unchanged, despite a claim from the White House that Madrid had agreed to cooperate after the initial refusal.