Trending Now - Spain's PM Takes a Stand on Trump's Iran Policy

WHO:

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez

President Trump

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte

Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer

Paco Camas García, public survey firm Ipsos

WHAT:

Sánchez criticized US military strikes in Iran, calling them “reckless and illegal.”

Trump threatened to cut off trade with Spain and stated, “We could use their base if we want, we could just fly in and use it, nobody’s going to tell us not to use it.”

Sánchez declared on national television, “No to war.”

Amazon announced it would expand its investment in data centers in Spain to total nearly $40 billion.

Spain forbade the use of its military bases in Rota and Morón for US operations against Iran.

Trump’s popularity in Spain is at an all-time low, with only 16% approval according to a survey conducted in February 2026.

Spain’s trade with the US constitutes about 5% of its total trade.

WHERE:

Spain

Military bases located in Rota and Morón, Spain

White House, Washington D.C.

Mediterranean Sea, where the UK is sending an aircraft carrier

WHEN:

March 2026 (specific events referenced)

February 2026 (survey conducted)

January 2026 (Sánchez's comments on social media)

October 13th, 2025 (Trump's comments about Meloni)

July 2018 (Sánchez and Trump meeting at NATO summit)

WHY:

Sánchez aims to assert Spain's position against US military actions and regain political initiative at home.

Trump’s threats are seen as a response to Sánchez's refusal to allow the use of Spanish bases for US military operations.

HOW:

Sánchez used national television to communicate his stance against the war.

The Spanish government officially stated its position on the use of military bases, contradicting claims from the White House.

(UPDATED March 8, 2026 23:01 UTC)

In a heated exchange, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez criticized US military strikes in Iran as “reckless and illegal,” while asserting on national television that Spain says “No to war.” In response, President Trump threatened to cut off trade with Spain and claimed the US could use Spanish military bases without permission, despite Sánchez's announcement that Spain forbids their use for US operations against Iran. Meanwhile, Amazon revealed plans to expand its investment in data centers in Spain to nearly $40 billion, even as Trump’s popularity in the country hits an all-time low, with only 16% approval according to a recent survey.