Defense Minister Margarita Robles confirmed Wednesday that the United States has deployed tanker aircraft to the Rota (Cádiz) and Morón de la Frontera (Seville) bases in the context of the escalating military situation between Israel and Iran."At this time, it is true that the United States is using the bases, but always within the limits of the agreement between the two countries and in accordance with the treaties," Robles said in the corridors of Congress, where she participated in a debate on Spanish military exports to Israel. The bilateral defense agreement authorizes Washington to deploy up to 15 tanker aircraft to the Morón base.
The BBC has reported that the United States has deployed at least 30 KC-135 air refueling aircraft to air bases in Spain, England, and Scotland in the last three days. These aircraft extend the flight range of fighters and bombers such as the F-16, F-22, and F-35. According to Reuters, the Pentagon has used these aircraft to reinforce its deployment in the Middle East, where an aircraft carrier is also reportedly headed. Secretary of State for Defense Pete Hegseth has emphasized the"defensive" nature of this deployment, while military sources claim they have been used to shoot down drones and missiles used by Iran in response to Israel, which began the attacks last Friday.
Washington has so far avoided direct involvement in the conflict, but President Donald Trump has threatened Iran's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, calling him"an easy target" on social media. Vice President J.D. Vance, meanwhile, suggested that"[Trump] may decide that additional steps are necessary to end Iranian enrichment. That decision ultimately rests with the president," he added.
"Obviously, the concern we have as a government is extreme at this time, and we understand that the situation must be addressed, and we hope a peace agreement will soon be reached," Robles added. Podemos filed a series of questions with the government this Wednesday in Congress regarding the arrival of tanker aircraft at the Morón air base last Friday, which"could be being used as a logistics stopover in support of military operations" by the United States on behalf of Israel. The party led by Ione Belarra wants to know if the government"was aware of these operations and is supervising their purpose."
