A senior Republican senator has called on Donald Trump to withdraw US military bases from Spain after Madrid refused to allow them to be used in the recent offensive against Iran.
Lindsey Graham, one of Trump’s closest allies in Washington, criticised Spain’s decision not to allow American forces to use the bases in Rota (Cadiz) and Moron (Sevilla) during the operation launched on February 28 alongside Israel.
The senator argued that allies should show full support when facing what he described as the threat posed by Iran.
Graham claimed that Iran was only ‘weeks away’ from obtaining nuclear weapons and used strong language to describe the Iranian regime.
However, Iranian authorities maintain that their nuclear programme is intended solely for civilian purposes, and the International Atomic Energy Agency has repeatedly said there is no evidence Iran is building nuclear weapons.
Speaking to Fox News, Graham openly questioned Spain’s role as a security partner.
‘If our allies cannot join us in this fight, what fight will they join?’ he said.
‘Tonight I urge President Trump to move all our bases out of Spain,’ he said.
The senator also referenced NATO’s collective defence principle under Article 5 but suggested the alliance should reconsider its commitments in cases where allies refuse cooperation.
‘Should we really have air bases in a country that will not let us use those aircraft to stop a maniacal regime from obtaining nuclear weapons?’ he asked.
‘To our friends in Spain, you’ve lost your way, I don’t wanna do business with you anymore, I want out air bases out of Spain.’
The Spanish government has defended its position, saying the US request fell outside the agreement that regulates the presence of American forces in Spain.
Washington’s proposed operation against Iran was therefore not covered by the existing bilateral defence arrangements.
Graham reacted strongly to the decision, saying Spain had ‘lost its way’ and arguing that American bases should be relocated to countries that align more closely with US policy.
He repeated his call for US air bases to be moved elsewhere if Spain continues to refuse cooperation.
Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.
