Spanish prime minister slams Trump's war in Iran, escalating feud

"We're not going to be complicit in something that's bad for the world nor contrary to our values and interests simply to avoid reprisals from someone. Twenty-three years ago, another American administration dragged us into a war in the Middle East, a war that, in theory it was said then, was being waged to eliminate Saddam Hussein's weapons of mass destruction, bring democracy and guarantee global security, but which in reality, seen in perspective, produced the opposite effect."

"Spain also refused to allow the use of its bases in support of the operation. Trump escalated Tuesday, threatening to cut off trade with Spain, but Sánchez, hardly intimidated, doubled down on his high-stakes clash with Trump, with stinging criticism in a national address Wednesday."

"As the attack on Iran unfolded Saturday, Sánchez condemned the Iranian regime but also denounced the U.S.-Israeli operation as contributing to a more uncertain and hostile international order. For months, the left-leaning Sánchez has been emerging as the embodiment of European resistance to Trump, locking horns with the president on defense spending."

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has emerged as a prominent voice of European opposition to Trump's policies, particularly regarding the U.S.-Israeli military operation against Iran. While condemning the Iranian regime, Sánchez denounced the attack as destabilizing and refused to allow Spanish military bases to support the operation. When Trump threatened trade retaliation against Spain, Sánchez intensified his criticism rather than capitulate. In a national address, he declared Spain would not be complicit in actions contrary to its values to avoid reprisals. Sánchez invoked the 2003 Iraq invasion, warning against repeating historical mistakes and cautioning against gambling with global security and stability.

Read at The Washington Post