UPDATE - Spanish foreign minister rejects White House claim of shift in military base policy

ADDS MORE REMARKS FROM ALBARES

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

GENEVA (AA) - Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares “categorically” denied Wednesday that Spain has agreed to military cooperation with the US following tensions over base access amid the ongoing US-Israeli offensive on Iran.

Speaking to Cadena SER radio, Albares denied a claim by the White House, stressing that "the Spanish government's position regarding the war in the Middle East and the bombings in Iran, regarding the use of our bases, has not changed by a single comma."

The denial follows a statement from White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt, who told reporters Wednesday that Spain had agreed to cooperate after US President Donald Trump threatened to "cut off all trade" with the European ally. Trump’s ultimatum came after Madrid prohibited the US from using bases on Spanish territory to launch attacks against Iran.

"With respect to Spain, I think they heard the president's message yesterday loud and clear, and it's my understanding...they've agreed to cooperate with the US military, and so I know that the US military is coordinating with their counterparts in Spain," Leavitt told reporters.

Albares said he has no clue where the White House obtained information claiming Spain had agreed to military cooperation.

"I have absolutely no idea what she could be referring to or where that could be coming from," he said.

Asked if the White House press secretary is lying, he said: "She may be the White House press secretary, but I am the foreign minister."

Albares stood his ground, emphasizing that the position of the Spanish government "has not changed at all" and reiterating Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's "no to war" stance.

He also said that Sanchez has received a wave of "solidarity and support" from counterparts across Europe and globally.

- Spain doesn't fear US

Responding to a question on whether Madrid fears that the US will follow through on the threat of a trade embargo made the previous day by its president, Albares said: "Why would a country like Spain fear? Why would a country that defends international law and seeks peace and stability in the Middle East and the rest of the world fear?"

"Spain is a sovereign independent country that makes its own sovereign decisions regarding its own territory and its sovereign decisions in foreign policy," he said, noting that in trade matters, decisions are made in Brussels because Spain is part of the European Union’s single market and the euro.

Trump said Tuesday that he will cut off all trade with Spain after Madrid prohibited the US from using bases on its territory to carry out attacks on Iran.

"We're going to cut off all trade with Spain. We don't want anything to do with Spain," he told reporters in the Oval Office as he hosted German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.