The only country in Europe that challenges Donald Trump

2026-03-02 15:57:43Kosova&Bota SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX

The only country in Europe that challenges Donald Trump

15 US aircraft have left the military bases of Rota and Moron in southern Spain since the weekend attacks on Iran by the United States and Israel, maps from flight tracking site FlightRadar24 showed on Monday.

Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said Spain would not allow its military bases, which are jointly operated by the US and Spain but are under Spanish sovereignty, to be used for attacks on Iran, which Madrid has condemned.

At least seven of the planes have been identified on FlightRadar24 as being grounded at Ramstein Air Base in Germany.

Britain also initially refused permission to use its bases for an attack on Iran, but on Sunday Prime Minister Keir Starmer authorised their use for "collective defence".

Spain's stance and the outspoken condemnation of US-Israeli actions in Iran by Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez once again make the country a special case in the region, risking making its relations with Washington difficult.

“Spanish bases are not being used for this operation, and they will not be used for anything that is not included in the agreement with the United States or for anything that is not in accordance with the United Nations Charter,” Albares said, speaking to Spanish broadcaster Telecinco.

Defense Minister Margarita Robles said the aircraft, which are mainly used for refueling, including the Boeing KC-135 "Stratotanker", were permanently stationed in Spain.

Tracking site FlightRadar24 showed that nine planes took off from Moron air base in southern Spain on Sunday and headed for Germany.

Two flights departed from Rota, a naval base with an airfield, heading for southern France, FlightRadar24 showed. Four other flights departed from Rota, but their route was not shown.


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