Spain has refused to allow its military bases to be used for attacks on Iran, prompting the departure of 15 United States aircraft from Spanish facilities.
Flight tracking data from FlightRadar24 showed the aircraft leaving the jointly operated Rota and Moron bases on Monday.
Spain’s Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said the bases were not being used for the operation and would not be used for anything outside the bilateral agreement with the United States or the charter of the United Nations.
The bases, though jointly operated, remain under Spanish sovereignty. Spain has condemned the attacks on Iran. The stance taken by Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez is expected to further strain relations with Washington.
Reuters reported that at least seven aircraft were shown landing at Ramstein Air Base. Nine tankers departed from Moron air base in southern Spain on Sunday and headed towards Germany. Two flights left Rota for southern France, while four additional flights departed Rota with no route displayed.
Defence Minister Margarita Robles said the aircraft, mainly aerial refuelling tankers including the Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker, had been permanently stationed in Spain.
Britain initially declined the use of its bases for an attack on Iran, but Prime Minister Keir Starmer later authorised limited use, citing collective self-defence and saying the request was to prevent Iran from firing missiles across the region.