Spain's Sanchez condemns US-Israeli Iran strikes as 'disaster,' warns of prolonged war

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez delivered a forceful condemnation Wednesday of the ongoing US-Israeli military campaign against Iran, warning the attacks risk escalating into a long war with devastating consequences for global living standards. "We are against this disaster," Sanchez declared in a televised address. "Governments should be here to improve the lives of people, not make them worse." He denounced those who "use the fog of war to hide their failures and, along the way, line the pockets of the same few people as always."

Warning of Escalation

Sanchez cautioned that no one knows the objectives of those who started the conflict or where it will lead, but "we have to be ready for this to turn into a long war." He invoked the start of World War I, stating "massive wars often start because of a series of mistakes, unknowns—we cannot play Russian roulette with the lives of millions." Comparing the attacks to the Iraq War, he argued that conflict increased terrorism, cost of living, migration, and led to a less secure world.

Defiance Amid US Threats

While Spain has emerged as one of the fiercest Western critics of the joint Israeli-American attacks, Sanchez emphasized Madrid does not stand alone but with "the values of our constitution, the principles of the EU, the UN Charter and international law, and therefore with peace." His remarks came after President Donald Trump threatened Tuesday to cut off all trade with Spain, calling it a "terrible" ally for refusing base access. Sanchez did not directly address Washington's threats but stated "we will not be afraid of retaliation," as Madrid works to bring thousands of stranded Spaniards home and studies economic measures to protect citizens and businesses.