Spain’s Sanchez calls Iran war ‘colossal mistake,’ refuses to participate

2026-03-25 - 09:50

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez launched a fierce condemnation of the ongoing war against Iran on Wednesday, telling parliament that Madrid “neither accepts nor is willing to pay” the humanitarian, economic, and security costs of the conflict. “This war is a colossal mistake,” Sanchez declared, warning that its repercussions would far exceed those of the widely criticized 2003 invasion of Iraq. A tragic repetition of history Drawing a stark parallel to two decades ago, Sanchez noted that history is repeating itself—“not as farce, but as tragedy.” He observed that this time Iran has replaced Iraq, and President Donald Trump has taken the place of former President George W. Bush. “We are not facing the same scenario as in the illegal war in Iraq,” he said. “We are facing something much worse with a potential impact that is much broader and much deeper.” Sovereignty and economic protection Explaining Spain’s decision to deny the United States access to its Rota and Moron military bases for operations related to Iran—including refueling—Sanchez asserted: “We are a sovereign country that does not want to take part in illegal wars.” To cushion the economic blow already felt by Spanish families, his government has unveiled a €5 billion response plan comprising aid, tax exemptions, and protective measures for households and businesses. “Every bomb that falls in the Middle East ends up hitting—and we’re already seeing it—our families’ wallets,” he said. A clear message: No to war The prime minister stressed that the world’s last need is another “illegal, absurd, cruel war” that serves only narrow interests. His remarks echoed the massive anti‐war protests that preceded the 2003 Iraq invasion. “We say no to the unilateral breaking of international law; we say no to repeating the mistakes of the past,” Sanchez concluded. “In short, we say no to war!” Türkiye’s parallel stance Madrid’s principled rejection of the war aligns closely with Türkiye’s own position. Ankara has consistently maintained that the conflict lacks a legitimate basis under international law and has refused to be drawn into military operations against Iran. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has repeatedly warned that the war is a “disastrous mistake” and has positioned Türkiye as a mediator committed to dialogue and de‐escalation. Together, Spain and Türkiye represent a growing chorus of European and regional powers demanding an end to hostilities and a return to diplomacy.