US President Donald Trump on Tuesday sharply criticised several European nations over their response to the ongoing US-Israel military campaign against Iran, singling out Spain for refusing to allow American forces to use military bases on its territory.
Commenting on the role of European allies, Trump said, “Some of the European nations have been helpful, and some haven’t–and I’m very surprised. Germany’s been great… Spain has been terrible. In fact, I told Scott to cut off all dealings with Spain,” he said, adding, “By the way, I’m not happy with the UK either.”
His remarks come after Spain formally declined permission for the United States to use jointly operated military bases at Rota and Morón for operations linked to strikes on Iran.
Spain rejects US use of bases for military action
Spain has refused to allow the United States to use its bases for military action against Iran, as Madrid hardened its criticism of the widening Middle East conflict.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez condemned what he described as “unilateral military action” by Washington and Israel, calling it an “unjustified and dangerous military intervention” that risks creating “a more hostile and uncertain international order”.
Foreign minister José Manuel Albares said Spain would not authorise any activity beyond existing bilateral defence agreements or outside international law. “The bases are not being used – nor will they be used – for anything that is not in the agreement, nor for anything that isn’t covered by the UN charter,” he said in a television interview.
While Spain has drawn a clear line, the United Kingdom has allowed the US access to bases in the Middle East but has declined to join the offensive directly.
Germany, by contrast, has taken a more supportive stance. During a meeting at the Oval Office with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Trump said, “We have a meeting with a man who’s become a friend of mine. We’ll obviously be talking a little bit about Iran. We’re talking about some very big trade deals.”
Merz said, “We are on the same page in terms of getting this terrible regime in Tehran away.”
Trump defends Iran strikes
Trump also defended the US decision to strike Iran, rejecting suggestions that Washington was compelled by Israel to act.
“No, Based on the way the negotiation was going, I think [Iran] was going to attack first, and I didn’t want that to happen, so if anything, I might’ve forced Israel’s hand,” he said.
He maintained that intelligence assessments pointed to an imminent threat.
“I thought we were going to have a situation where we were going to be attacked… A lot of those missiles that are hitting, those are stationary. Those were aimed there for a long period of time at these other countries–so I think I was right about that,” he said.
Describing Iran’s leadership in stark terms, Trump added, “If we didn’t do what we’re doing right now, you would’ve had a nuclear war and they would’ve taken out many countries because you know what? They’re sick people. They’re mentally ill, sick people. They’re angry. They’re crazy. They’re sick.”
He further said, “These people are crazy, and if they had a nuclear weapon, they would’ve used it.”
Referring to the operation, he said, “The attack that we did known as Midnight Hammer, had we not done that, Iran would’ve had a very powerful nuclear weapon within one month.”
Trump also criticised former President Barack Obama over the 2015 nuclear deal. “Barack Hussein Obama made maybe the worst deal that I’ve ever seen because he gave all power in the Middle East to Iran… If I didn’t terminate that deal, they would be sitting with a massive nuclear weapon 3 years ago.”
On the negotiations preceding the strikes, he said, “We were having negotiations with these lunatics, and it was my opinion that they were going to attack first… If we didn’t do it, they were going to attack first. I felt strongly about that.”
He claimed US strikes had significantly degraded Iran’s military capabilities. “We’ve had a very powerful impact because virtually everything they have has been knocked out now. Their missile count is going way down… They no longer have air protection. They no longer have any detection facilities at all. They’re gonna be in for a lot of hurt. These are bad people.”
Conflict widens across region
The diplomatic tensions come amid an intensifying conflict in the Middle East. On February 28, the United States and Israel launched coordinated airstrikes across multiple Iranian cities, targeting military command centres, air-defence systems, missile sites and key regime infrastructure.
The strikes killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and four senior military and security officials, with large explosions reported in Tehran and other cities.
In response, Iran launched ballistic missiles and drones at US assets and allies across the region, including Israel, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan.
Oil infrastructure in Saudi Arabia and shipping routes near the Strait of Hormuz have come under threat, sending global energy prices higher and disrupting commercial travel.
Trump has indicated the military campaign could continue for “four to five weeks” and potentially longer, stating that US forces aim to dismantle Iran’s missile capabilities, cripple its navy and prevent it from acquiring a nuclear weapon.
As Washington presses ahead with its strategy, differences with European allies over the scope and legitimacy of the campaign have now surfaced publicly, with Spain emerging as the most outspoken critic and the latest flashpoint in transatlantic tensions.
