Australia and the World Past and Present

The Spanish government has ruled out joining in military action in the Straights of Hormuz.

Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, maintains that the current war against Iran is illegal.

Spain’s government is a left-leaning coalition.

Spain would not allow American aircraft to use joint military bases located in the country.

Instead, the Spanish government favours a diplomatic solution.

Sánchez believes that President Trump is undermining the global rules-based order.

There was a clear lack of communication between the United States and its traditional allies before the conflict commenced.

Additionally, Spain has condemned the recent US action in Venezuela, that saw President Nicolás Maduro arrested, taken to the US and incarcerated.

Many other NATO nations have agreed to raise their defence spending to around 5% of GDP, after prolonged pressure from Trump to do so. But Spain refuses.

Defence spending in Spain currently sits at around 2.1% of GDP.

The Iran conflict has exposed yet another divide between the US and its NATO allies.

Some leaders, like Giorgia Meloni of Italy, are generally on good terms with Trump. Yet even she has been relatively muted on support for America in the latest conflict.

Spain is one of the most forthright European nations speaking out against the war.

Spain benefits from a global order predicated on internal law. It benefits from clear rules and norms that restrain superpower rivalry and prevent the mighty running roughshod over the weak.