Spanish Prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, has responded to President Donald Trump of the United State’s threat to cut off all trade with Spain over his government’s refusal to facilitate the US’s ongoing attacks against Iran, comparing the growing conflict in the Middle East to playing Russian gambling with the destiny of millions.
This came as no fewer than 87 people were killed after a US submarine sank an Iranian warship in the Indian Ocean. Many are still reported missing.
Meanwhile, the US Embassy in Abuja, has cancelled all visa appointments scheduled for yesterday, citing a high potential for protests in Abuja amid escalating hostilities between the US, Israel and Iran.
Sánchez, who has been one of the most vociferous European critics of Israel’s conduct in Gaza, said his government’s position on the widening instability could be summed up in three words: “No to war.”
In a section of the speech that appeared to directly address Trump’s threats to end all trade with Spain, the prime minister said his country would not be complicit in something that is bad for the world and that is also contrary to his country’s values and interests “simply out of fear of reprisals from someone.”
Trump had on Tuesday railed against Madrid for refusing the US permission to use jointly operated bases in southern Spain to continue its attacks in Iran.
“Spain has been terrible,” Trump said during a meeting with the German Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, adding that he had told the Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, to cut off all dealings with the European country.
In his address, yesterday, Sánchez called on the US, Israel and Iran to stop their war before it was too late, saying: “You can’t respond to one illegality with another because that’s how humanity’s great disasters begin.
