EU COUNCIL CHIEF VOICES 'FULL SOLIDARITY' WITH SPAIN AFTER US THREAT

BRUSSELS, March 4 (Bernama-Anadolu) -- European Council President Antonio Costa on Wednesday expressed the EU's "full solidarity" with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez following threats from the United States (US) over Madrid's position on Iran, Anadolu Ajansi (AA) reported.

"I have just held a call with President @sanchezcastejon to express the EU’s full solidarity with Spain," Costa wrote on the US social media company X.

Sanchez earlier rejected the "unilateral military action" carried out by the US and Israel against Iran, warning that it represents an escalation and contributes to "a more uncertain and hostile international order."

US President Donald Trump then responded with a threat to cut off trade with Spain, calling it a "terrible" ally, after Madrid refused to let the US use its military bases in the country to attack Iran.

"The EU will always ensure that the interests of its Member States are fully protected," Costa said.

Costa also reaffirmed the bloc's "firm commitment to the principles of international law and the rules-based order everywhere in the world."

Israel and the US announced early Saturday that they had launched a joint military operation against Iran, citing threats posed by what they described as the Iranian regime.

Tehran, asserting its right to self-defence, responded with drone and missile attacks targeting Israel and US-linked sites in several Gulf states, prompting multiple countries in the region to temporarily close their airspace.

-- BERNAMA-ANADOLU