The Spanish government has allegedly barred any aircraft involved in the conflict with Iran from flying over its airspace. The decision has been reported to be interfering with the operations of the US military in the region.
The decision affects US aircraft deployed in third countries such as the UK and France. The aircraft are allegedly barred from flying over Spanish airspace on their way to the Middle East. The decision has forced some long-range bombers such as B-52 aircraft deployed in the UK to divert their route.
The Spanish government was reported to have declined the United States access to important military bases in the cities of Cádiz and Seville. The decision was seen as the country’s way of expressing dissent against the war. The Prime Minister of the country, Pedro Sánchez, was quoted in the media last week as having announced the country’s new policy. According to him, the country will not be party to an “illegal war.”
The Prime Minister confirmed that all flight plans in the country linked to the operations in Iran have been rejected. Although the decision appears to be consistent in practice, the Spanish government is expected to make exceptions in the event that emergency operations require access to the country’s airspace.
The decision has been reported to have interfered with the operations of the US military in the region. The operations are allegedly referred to as Operation Epic Fury. The decision has been reported to affect aircraft flying out of the RAF Fairford airbase in the UK. In the event that the aircraft cannot fly over the airspace of France, the jets are forced to take a long route around the Iberian Peninsula and enter the Mediterranean Sea via the Strait of Gibraltar.
