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The U.S. will suspend all trade with Spain over Madrid’s decision to deny the U.S. permission to use its joint military bases to attack Iran, U.S. President Donald Trump has announced.
Speaking at the White House, Trump said that “we’re going to cut off all trade with Spain,” and that he doesn’t “want to have anything to do with” Spain.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez earlier condemned Trump’s “unjustified and dangerous” intervention against Iran.
“Spain actually said that we can’t use their bases, and that’s alright,” Trump told reporters, before saying that he could ignore the ban if he liked. “We could use their bases if we want,” he said. “We could just fly in and use it, nobody’s going to tell us not to use it.”
Spain said the U.S. should be mindful of international law and bilateral trade agreements with the European Union.
The U.S. and Israel launched what they described as a pre-emptive strike against Iran on February 28, claiming that Tehran was developing a nuclear weapon and posing a threat—an allegation Iran has denied. In response, Iran launched counterattacks, firing missiles and drones at Israel, as well as at U.S. assets and other targets across the region, including those stationed in Middle Eastern and Gulf countries.