Iran war ‘much worse’ than Iraq – Spanish PM

Pedro Sanchez has warned of a “broader and deeper impact” of the US-Israeli campaign against Tehran

The ongoing US-Israeli war on Iran will have “much worse” consequences than the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has said, while reaffirming Madrid’s refusal to take part.

Addressing the lower house of parliament on Wednesday, Sanchez described the conflict as an “absolute disaster,” saying that it has “undermined international law and destabilized the Middle East.” He added that it has reignited tensions in Iraq and Lebanon, increased insecurity in Gulf states, and exacerbated global energy challenges.

”We are not facing the same scenario as in the illegal war in Iraq,” Sanchez said. “We are facing something much worse, with a far broader and deeper impact.”

He criticized the 2003 government of then-Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar for backing the US-led invasion of Iraq and later deploying Spanish troops to the country.

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“We say no to repeating the mistakes of the past; we say no to dressing up as democracy, which is in reality greed and political calculation,” Sanchez said. “In short, we say no to war.”

Sanchez noted that Iran is larger than Germany, France, and Italy combined in terms of territory and possesses significant military capabilities, including long-range ballistic missiles. He said Tehran has spent decades building up its defenses, referring to the establishment of the Islamic Republic following the 1979 revolution.

Warning of the economic fallout, Sanchez said: “This war is a huge mistake whose costs we neither accept nor are willing to pay.” He mentioned that the government last week approved a €5 billion package to shield Spanish households.

Spain has been among the most outspoken EU countries in opposing the war. Madrid has withdrawn its ambassador from Israel and downgraded diplomatic relations.

READ MORE: EU ‘held hostage’ by Trump over Iran war – Spanish deputy PM

The stance has also strained ties with Washington. Spain has refused to allow the US to use joint military bases for operations linked to the conflict, citing sovereignty. That prompted criticism from President Donald Trump, who has threatened trade measures and cited Madrid’s failure to meet NATO’s 5% defense spending target.

Despite the rhetoric, Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said earlier this month that bilateral relations remain “normal.”