White House says Madrid will cooperate with U.S. operations in the Middle East following a dispute over the use of joint military bases.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Spain has agreed to cooperate with U.S. military operations in the Middle East after President Donald Trump warned he would cut off trade with the country over restrictions on the use of Spanish bases, the White House said Wednesday.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters during a briefing that Spanish officials had shifted their position after hearing the president’s message.
“With respect to Spain, I think they heard the president’s message yesterday loud and clear,” Leavitt said. “And it’s my understanding over the past several hours, they’ve agreed to cooperate with the U.S. military. And so I know that the U.S. military is coordinating with their counterparts in Spain.”
The development follows a dispute between Washington and Madrid over whether the United States could use joint military installations in southern Spain during the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
President Trump said Tuesday that he was prepared to impose severe economic consequences after Spain initially signaled it would restrict the use of those facilities.
Trump stated he would “cut off all trade with Spain,” responding to remarks made by Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares the previous day.
Albares had said Spain would not allow the United States to launch strikes from jointly operated bases unless those actions were covered under the United Nations charter.
The disagreement emerged as the United States continues military operations tied to the escalating conflict involving Iran and regional security forces.
According to the White House, discussions between American and Spanish military officials are now underway as both countries coordinate their roles in ongoing operations in the Middle East.
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