Spain has carried out another evacuation operation to bring home citizens affected by the escalating tensions in the Middle East following the recent conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel.
An Airbus A330 operated by the Spanish Air Force has completed its second mission in Oman and is expected to depart for Madrid in the coming hours with Spanish nationals on board.
The operation is being coordinated by Spain’s Joint Defence Staff through the commander of the Operations Command to ensure the safety of those involved.
The aircraft had previously flown from the Torrejón de Ardoz air base near Madrid to Djibouti before heading to Oman to collect personnel and civilians affected by the crisis.
Support from Operation Atalanta forces
The flight is also being used to repatriate the 57th contingent of the Tactical Air Detachment ‘Orion’, a Spanish unit that had been deployed as part of the European Union’s Operation Atalanta.
Operation Atalanta focuses on combating piracy and protecting international shipping routes in the Indian Ocean and the Horn of Africa.
The Spanish personnel had been stationed in the region since late 2025 as part of that mission.
Earlier evacuation brought back 171 Spaniards
The Airbus A330 had already carried out a first evacuation mission earlier in the week.
Between Tuesday and Wednesday, following the escalation of hostilities in the Middle East, the aircraft landed at the Torrejón air base with 171 Spanish citizens evacuated from Oman.
Spaniards in Iran have already left
Spain’s foreign minister José Manuel Albares confirmed on Thursday that all Spanish citizens who wanted to leave Iran had already done so.
However, he said some Spaniards have chosen to remain in the country, mainly for family reasons or because they hold dual nationality.
Coordinated response to the crisis
The evacuation operation highlights Spain’s efforts to protect its citizens abroad during international crises.
Officials say the coordination between the Foreign Ministry and the Spanish Air Force has allowed the government to respond quickly to the rapidly evolving situation in the region.
