Spain shuts airspace to US planes attacking Iran

MADRID, Spain — Spain has closed its airspace to US planes involved in attacks on Iran, a step beyond its previous denial of use of jointly-operated military bases, Defense Minister Margarita Robles says.

“We don’t authorize either the use of military bases or the use of airspace for actions related to the war in Iran,” she tells reporters in Madrid.

Spanish newspaper El Pais had first reported the news today, citing military sources.

The closure of the airspace forces military planes to bypass NATO member Spain en route to their targets in the Middle East, but it does not include emergency situations, El Pais added.

“This decision is part of the decision already made by the Spanish government not to participate in or contribute to a war which was initiated unilaterally and against international law,” Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo says during an interview with radio Cadena Ser when asked if the decision to close Spain’s airspace could worsen relations with the United States.