US aircraft depart Spanish bases after Madrid bars use for Iran attacks

MADRID: Fifteen United States military aircraft have left joint Spanish-US bases in southern Spain after Madrid made clear its facilities would not be used for operations against Iran, according to flight tracking data and official statements.

Data from flight tracking website FlightRadar24 showed that aircraft departed from the Rota naval base and Moron air base following weekend strikes by the US and Israel on Iran.

Spain and the United States jointly operate military facilities at Rota and Moron, though they remain under Spanish sovereignty.

Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said Madrid would not permit its bases to be used for attacks on Iran, which Spain has publicly condemned.

“Spanish bases are not being used for this operation, and they will not be used for anything not included in the agreement with the United States or for anything that is not in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations,” Albares told Spanish broadcaster Telecinco.

At least seven of the aircraft were shown as having landed at Ramstein Air Base in Germany, according to tracking data.

FlightRadar24 indicated that nine aerial refuelling tankers departed from Moron air base on Sunday and headed towards Germany. Two additional flights left Rota for southern France, while four other departures from Rota did not show a listed destination.

Spain’s Defence Minister Margarita Robles said the aircraft — primarily Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker refuelling planes — had been permanently stationed in Spain.

The development comes amid widening regional tensions after US and Israeli strikes on Iran. Britain had initially declined to allow the use of its bases for operations against Iran, but Prime Minister Keir Starmer later authorised their use on Sunday for what he described as “collective self-defence”.

Spain’s position, along with strong criticism of the US-Israeli strikes by Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, sets Madrid apart from some Western allies and could further strain ties with Washington.

The situation remains fluid as diplomatic efforts continue alongside heightened military activity across the region.