Ireland must rally behind Spain after the US threatened to cease all trade with the country, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson.
Senator Stephenson said:
“Spain’s barring of the US military from using its bases to stage its war against Iran is the right action to take to comply with international law. US assaults on Iran are grave violations of international armed conflict laws.
“Spain would be complicit in these violations if it were to sanction the US’s use of its military bases on Spanish soil for the purpose of waging war in the Middle East. Trump’s threats against our European ally for simply adhering to international law is outrageous.
“French Prime Minister Emmanuel Macron has expressed his country’s solidarity with Spain as it stands tall in the face of Trump’s threats. It’s now imperative that all European countries unite in the face of this flagrant dismantling of the international rules-based order.
“The Taoiseach and Minister for Foreign Affairs must clarify whether they have contacted Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to offer Ireland’s solidarity and support.
“The Irish government must also give a categoric commitment that Shannon Airport will not be used to launch attacks on Iran as part of the United States and Israel’s illegal war.
“Like Spain, we must not just talk about respecting international law – we must act like it.”
March 4th, 2026