❓WHAT HAPPENED: Spain has driven 15 U.S. military aircraft out of its bases following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran.
👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The U.S. military, Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares, and Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.
📍WHEN & WHERE: The aircraft left their bases in southern Spain since the weekend; maps showed their movement on Monday.
💬KEY QUOTE: “Spanish bases are not being used for this operation,” said Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares.
🎯IMPACT: Spain’s decision may strain relations with Washington.
Flight tracking data from FlightRadar24 indicates that 15 U.S. military aircraft have departed from the Rota and Morón air bases in southern Spain following recent U.S. and Israeli strikes against Iran. The bases, including Naval Station Rota and Morón Air Base, operate under Spanish sovereignty in cooperation with the United States. According to the tracking data, at least seven of the aircraft have landed at Ramstein Air Base in Germany.
Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares told broadcaster Telecinco, “Spanish bases are not being used for this operation,” underscoring the socialist government’s opposition to the attacks. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has also condemned the U.S.–Israeli strikes.
Notably, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has argued the campaign will be limited in scope, saying, “This is not Iraq. This is not endless,” and describing a targeted strategy aimed at dismantling Iran’s ballistic missile and nuclear capabilities. However, President Donald J. Trump has declined to rule out ground forces, suggesting he would be willing to deploy troops “if they were necessary.”
Elsewhere in Europe, Britain initially refused permission for its bases to be used for operations against Iran, but later allowed it under the principle of “collective self-defence” when Iran began launching missiles at regional allies.
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