This European country will not be ‘an accomplice to something that is bad for the world.’

On Wednesday, President Pedro Sanchez reaffirmed that Spain will not become involved in the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran.

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“The Spanish Government’s position on this situation is clear and consistent. It is the same position we have maintained in Ukraine and Gaza. NO to the breakdown of international law, which protects us all, especially the civilian population. NO to assuming that the world can only solve its problems with bombs. Let us not repeat the mistakes of the past. NO TO WAR,” he said.

He set out that position in a statement delivered after threats against Spain by U.S. President Donald Trump, whom Sanchez did not mention explicitly at any point.

Sanchez recalled that the United States had “dragged” his country into the 2003 Iraq War, which unleashed “the greatest wave of insecurity” in Europe since the fall of the Berlin Wall.

The war against Iraq — “which at the time was said to be aimed at eliminating Saddam Hussein’s weapons of mass destruction, bringing democracy and guaranteeing global security — produced the opposite effect,” Sanchez said.

He also stressed that the consequences of the 2003 military venture were increased insecurity, terrorism and negative effects on the global economy.

“That was the gift of the Azores trio to Europeans at the time: a more insecure world,” he said, referring to former leaders George W. Bush of the United States, Tony Blair of the United Kingdom, and Jose Maria Aznar of Spain.

Sanchez also warned that Spain will not be “an accomplice to something that is bad for the world,” such as the current war in the Middle East, “simply out of fear of retaliation from anyone,” in reference to Trump’s threats to cut trade with the European country over its position on the conflict.

“Spain stands with the founding principles of the European Union, with the United Nations Charter, with international law and, therefore, with peace and peaceful coexistence among countries,” he added.

Measures Amid Uncertainty

Spain must prepare for the possibility “that this will be a long war,” Sanchez said, predicting that economic uncertainty will also increase, with rising oil and gas prices.

He defended Spain’s stance against leaders of other countries who “use the smoke of war to hide their failure and, in the process, fill the pockets of a few.”

Sanchez guaranteed that his government will assist households, workers and businesses that may be affected by the economic impact.

“Currently, Spain has the necessary resources to confront this crisis. We have the capacity, as well as the political will, and we will do so hand in hand with social partners, as we did during the pandemic, the energy crisis, or the tariff crisis,” he said.

Sanchez also pledged assistance to Spaniards in the Middle East to help them return home if they wish, saying the foreign service and the military are working “day and night” on the effort.

A Spanish military aircraft will depart this morning from Torrejon Air Base in Madrid to evacuate Spaniards stranded in the Persian Gulf, Foreign Minister Jose Albares confirmed.

Previously, on Tuesday, 175 Spaniards evacuated from the Middle East arrived in Madrid on a commercial flight from Abu Dhabi.

It was the first of several government operations from different points in the Middle East aimed at repatriating Spaniards, including residents, tourists and those who traveled for work. More than 30,000 Spaniards are currently in the region.

Also on Wednesday, Labor Minister Yolanda Diaz said she had already met with business leaders and labor unions to take immediate measures in response to the Iranian conflict and defended Spain’s sovereignty as “a country of peace.”

“We do not accept blackmail or lessons from anyone,” she said, referring to the threats from the U.S. president.

teleSUR/ JF

Source: EFE

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