Spain permanently pulls ambassador from Israel amid Iran war

Madrid had recalled its ambassador last September after Israel condemned Spain's decision to block aircraft and ships carrying weapons to Israel from using Spanish ports or airspace. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar called the move antisemitic at the time.

When a reporter on Wednesday asked whether Spain, in general, was cooperating with the U.S., President Donald Trump replied, "No, they're not. I think they're not cooperating at all."

"Spain, I think they've been very bad," the president said. "Very bad. Not good at all. We may cut off trade with Spain."

Trump added that the people of Spain "are fantastic," whereas the leadership is "not so good."

"The religious Nazi regime in Iran is the problem, not the Jewish State," the senator continued. "I hope Spain's actions will not encourage the tyrannical, fanatical regime in Iran - that abuses its own people - to hang on."

Relations between Spain and Israel have deteriorated sharply since Israel launched its military campaign in Gaza in response to the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas terror attacks.

Israel also downgraded its diplomatic presence in Spain last May after Spain recognized a Palestinian state, placing its own embassy in Madrid under a chargé d'affaires.