Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez warned on Wednesday that the ongoing war in the Middle East represents a scenario ‘far worse’ than the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
‘This is not the same scenario as the illegal war in Iraq. We are facing something far worse. Much worse. With a potential impact that is far broader and far deeper,’ he told the Spanish Congress.
‘This time, it’s an absurd and illegal war. A cruel one that sets us back from achieving our economic, social, and environmental goals.’
Sánchez has rejected requests from Washington to allow the use of Spanish military bases in operations against Iran, despite threats from US President Donald Trump to cut trade ties with Spain over the decision. ALSO READ: Pedro Sánchez responds to Donald Trump: ‘No to war’.
The socialist (PSOE) leader argued that the Iraq war failed to meet its objectives and instead worsened conditions for ordinary people, citing rising fuel and food costs, increased migration pressures, and jihadist attacks across Europe.
He cautioned that the current conflict could produce similar economic consequences affecting millions.
‘Every bomb that falls in the Middle East eventually hits – as we are already seeing – the wallets of our families,’ Sánchez said.
To counter the fallout, his government last week approved a broad €5 billion package designed to soften the economic blow of the conflict, including measures such as tax cuts on fuel. ALSO READ: Spain unveils €5bn emergency package to offset energy shock from Middle East conflict.
‘It is not fair that some set the world on fire while others bear the ashes. It is not right that Spaniards and other Europeans should pay out of their own pockets for this illegal war,’ Sánchez said.
His reference to Iraq is likely to resonate with voters in Spain, where the decision by the then-ruling right-wing People’s Party (PP) to support the 2003 invasion proved deeply unpopular and triggered mass demonstrations.
That stance contributed to the socialists’ unexpected victory in the March 2004 general election, held just days after deadly bombings in Madrid.
Initially, the ruling PP government and some right-wing media tried to point the finger at the Basque terrorist group, ETA, for carrying out the atrocities. However, a branch of Al-Qaeda claimed responsibility for the attacks and demanded the withdrawal of Spanish troops from Iraq.
Recent polling suggests that Sánchez’s current position enjoys public backing. According to a survey published earlier this month in El País, 53.2% of Spaniards support his refusal to allow the United States to use the Rota naval base and Morón airbase for strikes against Iran. ALSO READ: US military aircraft leave Spain after government prohibits use of bases for Iran attacks.
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NO a la ruptura unilateral del derecho internacional.
— Pedro Sánchez (@sanchezcastejon) March 25, 2026
NO a repetir los errores del pasado.
NO a vestir de democracia lo que en realidad es codicia y cálculo político.
NO A LA GUERRA. pic.twitter.com/4Jp1zz4Lp1
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