MADRID – Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez issued a stark warning against the US and Israeli attacks on Iran, cautioning that the escalating conflict risks the lives of millions and likening the situation to "playing Russian roulette" with global safety.
He stated that such hostilities could trigger major global disasters and argued that it was irresponsible to gamble with the future of millions of people.
Sanchez’s remarks follow threats from US President Donald Trump to cut trade ties with Spain due to its opposition to the conflict.
“This is how humanity’s great disasters start. You cannot play Russian roulette with the destiny of millions,” the Prime Minister stated during a televised address to the nation.
Tensions have surged between the two Nato allies after Sanchez labelled the US and Israeli strikes on Iran "reckless and illegal".
In a significant strategic move, he subsequently banned US military aircraft from using Spain’s southern bases for operations against Tehran.
The Prime Minister maintained that global challenges should be resolved through diplomacy rather than "war and bombs".
“The position of the Spanish government can be summarised in four words: ‘No to the war’.
“We are not going to be complicit in something that is detrimental to the world, nor contrary to our values and interests, simply to avoid reprisals from someone,” he said.
Sanchez further insisted that Spain would not compromise its principles to avoid international retaliation.
Highlighting the historical precedents of military intervention, Sanchez pointed to the negative consequences of the Iraq War, including the rise of global terrorism and the surge in energy prices.
He warned that a full-scale conflict with Iran could bring similar, if not greater, risks to global stability.