The President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, made an institutional statement this Wednesday, March 4, to assess the latest international events, after the President of the United States, Donald Trump, lashed out at Spain for its position on Iran and threatened to cut “all commercial dealings,” calling Spain “a terrible ally.” Trump made these statements during an appearance at the White House alongside German Chancellor, Friedrich Merz.
Sánchez's intervention from La Moncloa palace began shortly after 9:00 hours and has lasted for 10 minutes, without accepting questions from the media.
The summary of Sánchez's words, as clear as it was resounding: "No to war". "Spain is with whom it should be: peace, peaceful coexistence between countries, with the United Nations and international law and with the foundational principles of the EU."
During his intervention, Sánchez has avoided answering to the commercial threats of Donald Trump.
🔴 Pedro Sánchez speaks out about the conflict in Iran: “The question is not whether or not we are in favor of the ataloyas. The question is whether or not we are on the side of international legality and, therefore, of peace”#pedrosanchez #iran #war pic.twitter.com/ACvmc2meCa
— democrat (@democrata_info) March 4, 2026
"We demand the cessation of hostilities"
President Sánchez announces a "coordinated and effective response with our European allies" to the situation generated in Iran. "We are going to demand the cessation of hostilities".
"The question is not whether we are in favor or not of the ayatollahs, but whether we are in favor of international legality," the Spanish president has indicated, after reiterating his rejection of the "terrible" Iranian regime. He considers that "one cannot respond to an illegality with another" and, therefore, has called for a cessation of hostilities and a diplomatic solution to the conflict.
Measures to face the crisis
On the other hand, Sánchez has anticipated measures in Spain to face the economic crisis that the situation in the Middle East may provoke, announcing that the country is prepared. "Spain has the necessary resources and political capacity to face this crisis" "One cannot respond to an illegality with another"
Repatriate Spaniards
Regarding the Spaniards trapped in the Middle East, Sánchez has said that the government is going to work on the protection of Spaniards in the conflict zone and to "bring them home."
"More economic uncertainty"
The president of the Spanish government has compared the intervention in Iran with the one there was in Iraq. Sánchez has said that, for now, what it will create is "more economic uncertainty". Comparing this conflict with the Iraq war, started in 2003 by the United States, has warned of the negative consequences it brought for the lives of citizens.
Sánchez, on Spain's stance: "No to war"
Sánchez has begun his intervention solidarizing with the countries "illegally attacked" by Iran.
The position of the government of Spain: "No to the breach of an international law that protects us all. No to solving problems with bombs. No to repeating the mistakes of the past. The position of the government of Spain is summarized in a 'No to war'"
The appearance comes after the military escalation in the Middle East
The statement by the head of the Executive comes after Israel and the United States launched military attacks against Iran in an offensive that ended with the life of the Iranian supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The situation has elevated tension throughout the region and has provoked diplomatic reactions in different countries and an Iranian military response that has affected numerous allied countries of the US in the Middle East.
Diplomatic clash over the use of the Rota and Morón bases
The Spanish Government rejected that the United States use the joint-use military bases of Rota and Morón in the framework of the offensive against Iran.
After this decision, Trump responded threatening with a possible embargo and with cutting commercial relations with Spain.
From the Spanish Executive, they have replied that any rupture of commercial relations should respect both the will of private companies and the agreements signed with the European Union as a whole. In this regard, through Teresa Ribera, executive vice-president for a Clean, Just and Competitive Transition, the EU has recalled that "EU trade is negotiated as a bloc", denying the possibility of unilateral sanctions against Spain.