Spain’s Sanchez Says Trump’s Iran War Is a ‘Huge Mistake’, Warns of Oil and Gas Crisis | APT

Certainly, from Spain's perspective, the escalation of conflict in the Middle East is a real threat not only to world peace, which in itself would be enough, but also to the prosperity of businesses, families and households in our countries due to the obvious rise in the cost of living that will bring suffering to our economies, fundamentally the domestic ones. Therefore, do you know what the position of the government of Spain is? I would also say that of a broad majority of the Spanish society to reject this war and to indeed advocate for multilateralism, which is also represented, by the way, when we talk about the United Nations, by the current Secretary General of the United Nations, the Portuguese Antonio Guterres, in addition, of course, to the global trade. We also say yes to that transatlantic link that Spaniards and Portuguese share, but which we also understand from the government of Spain as coming from openness, from respect and from loyal collaboration, and on equal footing when we talk about that Atlantic relationship. An Atlanticism where international law, the rules, are the backbone and cooperation, therefore not confrontation, is the way forward. Our countries are also an avant-garde example of Europeanist commitment, and I think it's very important to highlight this. Therefore, in the case of Spain, in response to the request of a European country like Cyprus, we have provided support in a mission of protection, defence and rescue to which Spain has evidently responded. And as you know, the frigate Cristobal Colón will arrive at the shores of Cyprus in the coming days to contribute precisely to that, to the collective defence and security of a country that unfortunately, as a consequence of this conflict in the Middle East, has suffered an attack on its own soil. And with the same determination that leads us to say no to war in Iran, we obviously have the determination to be in solidarity and to help to lend a hand in this case to a member state of the European Union that is precisely a victim of that conflict. Regarding the first matter about the criticism that the President of the United States made about my country yesterday, I would like to say several things. First, I have enormous respect for the Presidency of the United States and great admiration for American society. Respect and admiration. From there I believe the position of the Government of Spain is clear. We have expressed it since the beginning of the war, regarding what our stance is, how we characterize this war, which is clearly outside international law and therefore what the position of the Government of Spain is going to be. And I also believe that among allied countries it is good to help when one is right and also point out when one is wrong or making a mistake, which is the case. This war in Iran, in my view, in the view of the Government of Spain, is an extraordinary mistake that we are going to pay for and in fact the consequences are already being paid in the form of rising oil prices, gas prices and, let us not forget of course, the number of victims and the pain and suffering that has been endured by a region, in this case the Middle East, for many years now with successive crises and wars, which unfortunately overlap each other, perpetuating that instability to that insecurity that we all obviously see through the media. Therefore admiration for American society, respect for the Presidency of the United States and a clear position on the part of the Spanish Government regarding what is our position in a war that we consider a mistake, an error and furthermore does not comply with international law, that is, the peace of mind the Spanish Government has. Why are we in Ukraine? Because there is a violation of international legality by a country that is invading, a third country, which in this case is Putin's Russia. Why are we in favor of the Palestinian cause and therefore against the genocide in Gaza? Because there is an outrage, a flagrant violation of international law, which, incidentally, international law is the same as the law, the respect for human rights. And in the same way we are also pointing out the enormous mistake that this crisis, this war that, well, started last Saturday represents. Secondly, regarding the frigate that we have sent and the Congress, the deputies and others, well, if we, in short, are defending international legality, and that is our reassurance that we are consistent in defending international legality in each and every conflict that are ravaging the world, we obviously adjust all our decisions to national legality. And therefore I also want to convey, of course, that the decision we have made to lend a hand to Cyprus in a mission that evidently is a defensive mission, not an offensive one, primarily focused on rescue, to help a country that today, unfortunately, has suffered the consequences of a war they did not cause, logically adheres to the organic law of national defense approved by the General Courts in 2005. Second notice. Twenty-three years ago a Prime Minister involved us in an illegal war, the Iraq war, and it took ten months, ten months to appear before the Congress of Deputies. Today I have announced the appearance before the General Courts to inform about the position of the government of Spain, which is precisely the opposite, which is not to engage in that Spain participates in a war that is absolutely illegal. What seems quite surprising to me is the position of the opposition, or oppositions, both the Popular Party and Vox, which, if you allow me to characterize, I would say it is a real jumble, because on one hand we know they are in favor of the war in Iran, but on the other hand it seems that they are against us, helping a European country that has suffered the consequences of the war, which they support. For therefore that is a real jumble. They will have to clarify exactly why they support the war in Iran, and why they oppose the request made to us by a European country, as is the case with Cyprus, for the government of Spain to respond in solidarity, precisely in a defensive mission against the consequences of this war, that, of course, we consider to be absolutely illegal. Therefore, transparency, accountability. I have said it on many occasions. I am the Prime Minister in the history of democracy, who has appeared the most times before the Congress of Deputies. I will do it again, and I insist. We have the reassurance, first, of complying with international law, second, that our position is perfectly understood. They understand it perfectly, and a large majority of the Spanish citizens applaud and support it. And thirdly, naturally, we comply with international law, we comply with national law, and above all we comply with solidarity with a European country that is being victimized precisely by a war that they did not want, and that Spain certainly does not want either.