Spain's foreign minister, José Manuel Albares, has firmly denied reports from White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt that Spain agreed to military cooperation with the United States in the ongoing conflict with Iran. This denial came soon after the announcement, highlighting the sensitivity around Spain's military sovereignty and its foreign policy stance.

The tensions between the two nations have historical roots, evidenced by previous comments from former President Donald Trump, who criticized Spain for not allowing the use of its air bases for operations against Iran. Trump's remarks included threats to halt trade with Spain, illustrating the strain in diplomatic relations over military cooperation and foreign policy alignment.

In a televised address, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez reiterated Spain's position on foreign military involvement, stating clearly that Spain will not engage in actions that could be detrimental to global peace or contradict the nation’s values and interests. This statement underscores Spain's commitment to assert its independence in foreign affairs, particularly in the context of American influence in military matters.