President Donald Trump expressed surprise at varying European support for the US campaign against Iran, stating, "some European nations help, some don't". Speaking at the White House alongside German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Trump praised the German government's "very positive" response.
Trump specifically criticized Spain, calling its stance "terrible". He revealed he had instructed Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to "cut all deals with Madrid". Trump cited Spain's refusal to increase defense spending, a NATO requirement, and its denial of US access to its military bases for the Iran operation.
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US President Donald Trump during a meeting at the White House on 3/3. Photo: AFP |
US President Donald Trump during a meeting at the White House on 3/3. Photo: AFP
Emphasizing his resolve, Trump declared the US would "cut all trade deals with Spain" and wanted "nothing to do with Spain". He then turned his criticism to the UK, lamenting, "by the way, I am also not happy with the UK. This is no longer the time of Winston Churchill". Trump expressed deep dissatisfaction with London's "very uncooperative" stance, particularly its decision to return the Chagos Archipelago, home to a joint US-UK military base, to the East African nation of Mauritius. He claimed this action "ruins relationships".
Officials from Spain and the UK have not yet commented on these statements.
Last weekend, Spain publicly stated it would not permit the US to use its air bases for operations related to the Iran campaign. Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares affirmed that "jointly used bases, though under Spanish sovereignty, will not be used for any activities outside treaty agreements or the United Nations Charter".
On 1/3, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer initially permitted the US to use British bases for "defensive strikes" against Iranian missiles. However, one day later, Starmer clarified that the UK did not intend to participate in airstrikes against Iran, despite its ongoing involvement in regional defense operations. Starmer stated that "London does not believe in regime change through airstrikes".
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Location of two US military bases in Spain. Graphic: CSIS |
Location of two US military bases in Spain. Graphic: CSIS
The US and Israel launched an airstrike campaign against Iran on 28/2, targeting intelligence and defense agencies, along with several high-ranking officials. In retaliation, Iran fired missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) at Israel and US bases in the region, causing casualties and infrastructure damage in multiple Gulf states.
France, Germany, and the UK issued a joint statement, indicating their readiness to protect their interests and allies in the Gulf region through "defensive actions against Iran" if necessary.
Duc Trung (According to Hill, AP, AFP)
