The war being waged by the United States and Israel against Iran is “a huge mistake”, Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said during a press conference. He has repeatedly condemned what he describes as an “illegal intervention”.
“This war in Iran is, in my view, and in Spain’s view, a huge mistake,” he said.
Referring to Madrid’s decision to send a frigate on a defensive mission to Cyprus, the Spanish prime minister stated: “With the same determination with which we say ‘No to the war in Iran’, we stand in solidarity and will help a country of the European Union that is a victim of this war.”
“Among allied countries, it is right to help when there is a need, and also to point it out when a mistake is being made. And this war in Iran is a huge mistake that we will pay for,” he said.
“Loyal cooperation”
“Loyal cooperation” should prevail over “confrontation” in relations between Madrid and Washington, the Spanish prime minister said, after facing strong criticism from Washington over his stance on the US-Israeli war.
Bilateral relations should be governed by “respect and a spirit of loyal cooperation”, and should be based on “equality”, within the framework of “an Atlanticism in which international law and rules form the cornerstone, and where cooperation prevails over confrontation”, he said during a joint press conference with Portugal’s Prime Minister Luís Montenegro.
When asked by a journalist about the sharp criticism from Donald Trump regarding his policies, Pedro Sánchez attempted to lower the tone.
“I have immense respect for the presidency of the United States and great admiration for American society,” he said.
“Threats and accusations are not the appropriate path for relations between allies,” Portugal’s prime minister said, adding that Washington is an “irreplaceable ally” for Lisbon.
Also read: Map of the naval “shield” around Cyprus
