U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to halt trade with Spain and instructed Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to "cut off all dealings" with the country amid tensions over Madrid's refusal to allow U.S. forces to use jointly operated bases for strikes on Iran, Reuters reported on March 3. The next day, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez rejected the threats in a televised address, defending his decision and criticizing Trump for using conflict to conceal domestic failures and benefit defense industries.

Spain is the only major European government explicitly criticizing U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran. Sanchez is blocking the use of jointly operated U.S. bases at Rota and Moron for offensive operations, prompting at least 15 U.S. aircraft to depart Spanish facilities. The dispute also builds on earlier tensions between Washington and Madrid over defense policy and spending.