Spain Calls for Diplomacy as Iran Conflict Escalates

(MENAFN) Spain is firmly backing diplomacy, international law, and de-escalation as the Iran conflict intensifies, Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares declared Tuesday, firing back at sharp criticism leveled by Israel.

Addressing reporters, Albares described the combined US and Israeli military strikes on Iran as the ignition of "a new cycle of violence, conflict and instability" across the Middle East, cautioning that the fallout could spiral beyond anyone's control.

"We cannot resign ourselves to war becoming the natural way to establish a balance of power in the Middle East," he said.

Albares further called on the EU to pursue "balance and reason" in navigating the escalating crisis.

"Violence never brings peace, stability, or democracy. It brings more violence and chaos," he added, while also drawing attention to Iran's own destabilizing actions across the region.

Madrid pushed back forcefully against accusations from Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar, who charged that Spain was "standing with all the tyrants of the world."

"His position seems absurd and ridiculous," Albares said. "Spain's foreign policy is coherent. We defend peace, global stability, international law and the UN Charter – in Ukraine, Gaza, Venezuela, Greenland, and Iran," he added, listing a number of global hot spots.

'We Led an Immense Majority That Later Joined Us'
When questioned over whether Spain risked becoming an outlier within the EU for its vocal opposition to the Iran offensive, Albares drew a direct parallel to Madrid's earlier stance on the Gaza war — when Spain broke ranks with many partners to condemn Israeli strikes and formally recognized Palestinian statehood in May 2024.

"When they said we were alone, we were leading an immense majority that later joined us," he said, insisting the government's position mirrors "the overwhelming majority of Spaniards and many countries around the world."

On the sensitive question of military infrastructure, Albares confirmed that Spain would not permit jointly operated US-Spanish military installations on its soil to be used as launchpads for operations against Iran — while stressing that this stance in no way undermines Madrid's obligations as a NATO member.

"The bases are under Spanish sovereignty within the framework of a bilateral treaty with the United States," he said, adding there was "nothing strange or surprising" about Madrid's position and that no consequences were expected.

Spain's NATO commitments remain firm, Albares stressed — "without a doubt" — pointing to active deployments in the Baltic states, a UN-mandated mission in Lebanon, and ongoing presence in Iraq.

With more than 30,000 Spanish nationals currently in the region, Albares described their protection as an "absolute priority." Evacuation operations are already underway, with 175 citizens airlifted from Abu Dhabi, and additional flights scheduled from the United Arab Emirates and Istanbul later Tuesday.

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