Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez Criticizes US and Israeli Strikes on Iran

A ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran announced on April 8, 2026, triggered a broad-based relief rally across risk assets after U.S. President Donald Trump agreed to suspend attacks on Iranian infrastructure for two weeks.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, a leading critic within the European Union regarding U.S. And Israeli military actions in Iran, welcomed the cessation of hostilities but criticized the Trump administration for initiating the conflict.

Ceasefires are always good news. Especially if they lead to a just and lasting peace. But this momentary relief cannot make us forget the chaos, the destruction, and the lives lost. The Government of Spain will not applaud those who set the world on fire just because they show up with a bucket.

Pedro Sánchez, via social media post on April 8, 2026

The agreement follows a period of extreme escalation. On April 7, 2026, President Trump had stated that a whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again if a deal was not reached by his Tuesday deadline.

Impact on Trade and Shipping

Iranian officials indicated that the temporary truce would make safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz possible. However, Tehran noted that What we have is subject to technical limitations and coordination with its armed forces, leaving room for Iran to define its own compliance terms.

The strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz contributed to the market volatility preceding the announcement, as the waterway is vital for global energy shipments.

Diplomatic and Legal Disputes

The tension between Spain and the United States extends beyond the current ceasefire. On March 4, 2026, Prime Minister Sánchez refused to yield to trade pressure from Washington while criticizing military actions in Iran.

During a speech to the lower house of Spain’s parliament on March 25, 2026, Sánchez described the war against Iran as absurd, cruel and illegal. He argued that the military campaign aimed to destabilize the Middle East, undermine international law, and bury Gaza under the rubble of oblivion.

Sánchez compared the risks of the current conflict to the Second Gulf War in 2003. He warned that the scenario involving Iran could result in consequences far worse than the U.S. Invasion of Iraq, citing the subsequent bloody civil war and the failure to find unconventional weapons in Iraq.

In the same March 25 address, Sánchez criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, stating that Netanyahu intended to inflict the same level of destruction on Lebanon as had been caused in the Gaza Strip.

Sánchez continues to call for the prevalence of international law, diplomacy, and peace to resolve the crisis in the Middle East.