Sources familiar with the functioning of the U.S.–Spain Joint Committee confirmed the move, stressing Madrid’s control over the facilities. “Rota and Moron are not a backdoor,” said the sources, who spoke anonymously to El Pais. They emphasized that both bases “remain sovereign Spanish bases under Spanish command and that all activity requires Madrid’s authorization.”
The decision comes as Washington continues supplying weapons for Israel’s Gaza offensive, where over 66,000 people have been killed. Spanish officials have publicly maintained that while Spain must honor its bilateral defense agreement with the U.S., shipments of arms specifically bound for Israel are subject to restrictions.
Although Spain does not directly inspect U.S. cargo, officials argue that attempts to conceal arms transfers would erode trust between allies. They note that the scale of U.S. deliveries to Israel makes such concealment “impractical,” citing the earlier delivery of six F-35 fighter jets that bypassed Spanish bases by stopping in the Azores.
Under the 1988 defense cooperation treaty, U.S. forces may operate from Spanish bases only with prior authorization. Article 25 excludes “controversial cargo or passengers,” requiring case-by-case approval. A 2011 operational procedure further demands disclosure of flight origins, destinations and mission objectives.
The U.S. State Department recently called Spain’s new measures “deeply concerning,” warning that such restrictions “potentially limit American military operations.” Madrid, however, insists it retains the sovereign right to deny politically sensitive authorizations.