Sep 29, 2025
The ban reportedly includes shipments bound directly for Israel or those that take Israel as their final destination after stopping at an intermediate location.
Spain has prohibited the transit of US military aircraft and vessels carrying arms, ammunition, or equipment destined for Israel through two of its military bases, the Spanish daily El País reported.
According to sources close to the Spanish-American Joint Commission, a committee tasked with overseeing the operation of military bases used by the United States, Madrid has banned the transit of American weapons through the Rota base in Cádiz and Morón de la Frontera in Seville, the paper, cited by the Anadolu news agency, reported.
Spain bans US arms shipments to Israel via Rota and Moron bases
Officials say ‘Rota and Moron are not a backdoor’ and all military activity needs Spain’s explicit authorization https://t.co/m4HzPCZoQs pic.twitter.com/lQjE34vNl9
— Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) September 29, 2025
“Rota and Moron are not a backdoor,” the sources reportedly said, adding that both remain sovereign Spanish bases under Spanish command and that all activity requires Madrid’s authorization.
The ban reportedly includes shipments bound directly for Israel or those that take Israel as their final destination after stopping at an intermediate location.
The move comes as Washington continues to supply the bulk of weaponry used by Israel in its genocidal offensive on Gaza, where more than 66,000 people have been killed.
Spanish officials have maintained ambiguity in public statements, the Anadolu report stated, insisting that Spain is obliged to respect its bilateral defense agreement with the US, but also clarifying that controversial shipments, such as arms bound for Israel, fall under restrictions.
1988 Defense Cooperation Agreement
Although Spain does not inspect US cargo directly, officials argue that concealing such transfers would undermine trust between allies.
They also point out that the sheer volume of weapon deliveries to Israel makes concealment impractical.
One example cited was the delivery earlier this year of six F-35 fighter jets to Israel, which avoided Spanish bases and instead made stopovers in the Azores before crossing the Strait of Gibraltar.
Under the 1988 defense cooperation agreement, amended multiple times, US forces can operate from Spanish bases under specific conditions.
While US aircraft permanently deployed in Spain enjoy freedom of movement, all others must request prior authorization.
Article 25 of the treaty allows quarterly authorizations for logistical support flights but explicitly excludes missions carrying “controversial cargo or passengers” for Spain, which require case-by-case approval.
A 2011 operational procedure further tightened rules, obliging disclosure of flight origins, destinations, and detailed descriptions of mission objectives and cargo.
Restrictions
The restrictions apply equally to naval operations, where port calls must be requested at least five days in advance. While Spain does not inquire about standard weapons onboard due to Cold War-era provisions, nuclear arms remain prohibited under Spanish law since the 1986 NATO referendum.
Earlier this month, the US State Department described as “deeply concerning” nine measures announced by Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s government to increase pressure on Israel, including the denial of Spanish airspace to flights transporting defense material to the country.
US officials warned that such restrictions “potentially limit American military operations.”
Despite the complaints, Spanish officials underline that Madrid has the right to deny authorizations for shipments considered politically sensitive.
Third Arms Deal Canceled
Last week, the Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported that Spain canceled a third arms deal with Israel, worth €207 million, just two days after a new law banning arms trade with Israel came into force.
According to the Israeli newspaper, the scrapped deal involved the Israeli company Rafael and included 45 containers of advanced aviation navigation equipment.
The containers were reportedly fitted with electro-optical sensors, laser pointers, infrared systems, and an updated radar capable of high-resolution scanning and imaging.
Haaretz explained that the move came in line with Spain’s newly enacted legislation, which prohibits the export, import, and transit of dual-use weapons and technologies to and from Israel through Spanish ports.
This is the third such cancellation by Madrid. Previously, Spain annulled a contract valued at nearly €700 million for Israeli-designed rocket launchers and another worth €287.5 million for 168 anti-tank rocket launchers.
Starting on October 7, 2023, the Israeli military, with American support, launched a genocidal war against the people of Gaza. This campaign has so far resulted in the deaths of more than 66,000 Palestinians, with more than 168,000 wounded. The vast majority of the population has been displaced, and the destruction of infrastructure is unprecedented since World War II. Thousands of people are still missing.
(Anadolu, PC)
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