Spain bans US arms transit for shipments to Israel
Spain has reportedly banned the transit of US military aircraft and naval vessels carrying arms, ammunition, or military equipment to Israel through its bases at Rota in Cádiz and Morón de la Frontera in Seville.
The decision comes as part of a package of measures Spain passed to strengthen its arms embargo on Israel, citing concerns over the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
Under the agreement, all activity involving those bases now requires express authorisation by the Spanish government, especially when the cargo is politically sensitive or controversial.
Spanish sources say that Rota and Morón are under Spanish sovereignty. This means Madrid has the legal authority to refuse or allow uses of those bases even in logistics operations involving the United States military.
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The new policy does not revoke the broader US-Spain Defence Cooperation Agreement but interprets parts of it to prevent transit of controversial military materials via Spanish territory.
One cited recent example is when six US-made F-35 fighter jets destined for Israel avoided Spanish bases, instead routing via the Azores. This shows that the US has complied with the restriction in at least some cases.
The Spanish government has stressed that they continue to respect the bilateral treaty with the US, but maintain that under it, Madrid may deny transit when “controversial cargo” is involved.
Although Spain does not physically inspect every shipment carried out by US forces, the restriction sends a political message: that Spain will not allow its territory to be used to facilitate arms transport in the Israel-Gaza conflict.
In practice, the restriction applies to ships and aircraft carrying weapons or ammunition bound for Israel, whether travelling directly or via third countries, when those shipments would transit through Spanish bases.
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Some Spanish officials believe that denying transit in this way could reduce logistical options for the US military and force rerouting, which could complicate certain defence operations.
The embargo forms part of a broader royal decree law approved by Spain’s Council of Ministers. The law bans exports of Spanish-made weapons, dual-use technology to Israel, and closes Spanish airspace and ports to fuel or material destined for the Israeli military.
Spain’s economy and trade ministers have emphasised that these measures align with Spain’s obligations under international law, including respect for human rights and humanitarian law.
The United States has expressed concern over the restriction, warning it might hamper US military logistics and operations in the region.
Spain frames the ban as an assertion of its sovereignty and its right to control what transits through its territory, especially when it comes to military logistics that might fuel conflict.
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