Spain’s PM Pedro Sánchez calls out US government’s failings – again
“Let us learn once and for all that war is a failure. Dialogue and democracy are the only path.”
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has once again criticised US foreign policy, describing the US-Israeli airstrikes on Iran as a “failure.”
His remarks came after Donald Trump and senior Iranian officials confirmed a framework peace agreement aimed at ending the 15-week conflict that rattled the global economy and left thousands dead.
While welcoming the peace deal, Sánchez said it should serve as a lesson that “war is a failure.”
“Let us celebrate,” he said, adding: “And let us learn once and for all that war is a failure. Dialogue and democracy are the only path.”
In a post on X, Sánchez highlighted the human and economic cost of the conflict.
“More than 7,400 dead, the majority civilians. Hundreds of homes, schools and hospitals destroyed. A widespread increase in prices and billions of euros in losses, also in Europe. This is the toll that the conflict in Iran has taken,” he wrote.
“We trust that the peace agreement announced today will serve to put an end to this senselessness, that it will be respected by all parties and that it will thus mark the beginning of a new stage in the Middle East.”
Sánchez has been one of Europe’s most outspoken critics of the war in Iran and, as a result, has faced a barrage of criticism from the White House.
Earlier this year, Spain refused to allow the US to use two jointly operated military bases for operations against Tehran. Madrid blocked the use of bases in Cádiz and Seville amid concerns that US-Israeli strikes on Iran could breach international law.
Trump responded by threatening a trade embargo against Spain and repeatedly attacking the country over its NATO defence spending.
In May, he intensified threats, saying he would “probably” withdraw US troops from two jointly operated bases in Andalucía, linking the move directly to the Spanish government’s criticism of his Middle East policy.
Asked whether he would consider pulling troops from bases in Europe, Trump replied:
“Yeah, probably … well, why shouldn’t I? Italy has not been of any help to us, and Spain has been horrible, absolutely horrible.”
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