Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has made one of the strongest European comments on the two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran, announced this week by US President Donald Trump.
Trump announced that a ceasefire agreement had been reached between the two countries, which will allow Iran to reopen the strategic Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important oil shipping lanes. The White House has touted the agreement as a diplomatic success, with spokeswoman Caroline Leavitt calling it a "victory for the United States."
But Sánchez has commented on the situation in critical tones, suggesting that the ceasefire should not be used to forget the consequences of the conflict.
In a post on the social network X, he wrote:
“Ceasefires are always good news, especially if they lead to a just and lasting peace. But this temporary relief should not make us forget the chaos, the destruction and the lives lost.”
The Spanish prime minister added a comment that has been interpreted as a direct criticism of Trump's policy:
"The Spanish government will not applaud those who set the world on fire just because they show up later with a bucket of water."
He stressed that what is needed now is diplomacy, respect for international law and peace.
Since the beginning of the conflict, Spain has been among the most critical European countries of the US military intervention in Iran. Unlike some other European countries that hesitated in their stance, Madrid made its opposition clear from the beginning, not allowing the use of US military bases on Spanish territory for operations against Iran.
The decision caused tensions with the Trump administration, which also threatened Spain with trade measures, but Sánchez stood his ground.
