Spain’s socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has positioned the country as a moral outlier in Western Europe, unambiguously criticising US and Israeli actions while other nations temper their remarks. Speaking at a European forum this week, Sanchez argued that Europe must “rearm itself morally” to contribute to global stability, a stance that has earned Spain the label of “Europe’s conscience”.
Madrid has consistently condemned US-Israeli military operations, including joint strikes on Iran in late February, which Sanchez called “unjustified and dangerous” and later “absurd, cruel and illegal”. Spain denied American forces permission to use jointly operated bases or airspace for attacks on Iran, with Defence Minister Margarita Robles stating: “We don’t authorise either the use of military bases or the use of airspace for actions related to the war in Iran.”
This week, Spain became the first Western country to reopen its embassy in Tehran after a fragile US-Iran ceasefire, brokered by Pakistan. Sanchez dismissed the agreement, writing: “The government of Spain will not applaud those who set the world on fire just because they show up with a bucket.” His approach has drawn ire from US President Donald Trump, who called Spain “terrible” and threatened trade cuts, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who announced Spain’s removal from a US-led Gaza military strategy centre, accusing Madrid of “hypocrisy and hostility”.
Spain has also condemned Israeli attacks on Lebanon, accusing Israel of seeking to “inflict the same level of damage and destruction” as in Gaza. Sanchez called for the EU to suspend trade with Israel, stating: “There must be no impunity for these criminal acts.” Madrid permanently withdrew its ambassador to Tel Aviv in March after years of tensions. Iran has responded by dubbing Spain a “non-hostile” country and suggesting it may allow Spanish ships to pass through its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
Sanchez’s unambiguous stance reflects anti-American sentiment in Spain. A Politico European Pulse survey found that 51% of Spaniards believe Washington poses a threat to Europe, the highest proportion among surveyed countries. 43% oppose the US-Israeli war on Iran, and 94% say Europe must become more self-sufficient. Spain, alongside Ireland, has been one of Israel’s staunchest critics since the Gaza war began in October 2023, with Sanchez accusing Israel of genocide—a claim supported by Amnesty, Human Rights Watch, and the UN.
