European Ally Reverses Course After Trump Pressure Agrees To Help US Military

Spain has agreed to cooperate with the U.S. military after a brief but intense dispute with President Donald Trump over access to key military bases tied to ongoing operations against Iran.

The development comes after Trump publicly criticized the NATO ally and threatened economic consequences if Madrid continued blocking U.S. military support for Operation Epic Fury, the joint U.S.-Israel campaign targeting Iranian missile and drone infrastructure.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed Wednesday that Spain had changed its position and was now coordinating with American forces.

“With respect to Spain, I think they heard the president’s message yesterday loud and clear,” Leavitt told reporters. “It’s my understanding over the past several hours, they’ve agreed to cooperate with the U.S. military,” she said.

“So I know that the U.S. military is coordinating with their counterparts in Spain,” she explained.

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“The president expects all Europe, all of our European allies, of course, to cooperate in this long sought-after mission, not just for the United States, but also for Europe to crush the rogue Iranian regime that, again, not only threatens America, but also threatens our European allies as well.”

The shift marks a turnaround after Spain initially refused to allow the U.S. to use joint military installations on Spanish soil to support the Iran operation. The two key installations at the center of the dispute are Naval Station Rota and Morón Air Base, both located in southern Spain.

The facilities are jointly operated by the United States and Spain and play a major role in American military logistics in the Mediterranean and Middle East. Spain’s socialist government, led by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, had previously said the bases could not be used unless the operation complied with international law or had a clear legal mandate.

Sánchez also criticized the U.S.-Israel strikes against Iran, warning that military escalation could destabilize the region and the wider world.

The Spanish leader framed his government’s stance as a principled rejection of war, publicly declaring “No to war” while arguing that expanding the conflict could trigger dangerous global consequences.

Trump responded sharply to Spain’s refusal. The president threatened to cut off trade with Spain and blasted the country for what he described as failing to support NATO defense efforts.

Trump has repeatedly criticized Spain and several other European countries for not meeting defense spending targets and relying heavily on American military protection.

While several NATO members have quietly supported U.S. military operations or provided logistical assistance, others have expressed concerns about escalation and called for diplomatic solutions instead. Because Spain hosts major American military infrastructure, its initial refusal raised concerns about logistical complications for U.S. forces operating in the Mediterranean and Middle East.

Access to Rota and Morón provides critical staging points for aircraft, naval deployments, and supply chains supporting operations across the region. The reversal from Spain comes as Operation Epic Fury continues to expand following several days of escalating strikes and retaliatory attacks between Iran and Western-aligned forces.