The Spanish government announced plans to reopen its embassy in Tehran after the situation eased following a two-week ceasefire agreement, while criticizing Israel for violating international law by launching attacks on Lebanon that have killed over 250 people.
Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares announced today (9 Apr) that Spain is preparing to reopen its embassy in Tehran to support the peace process following the ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran.
Albares ordered Spanish Ambassador to Iran Antonio Sánchez-Benedito to return immediately to duty after the embassy was temporarily closed on 7 March. He said this decision reflects the "new situation" created by the two-week ceasefire agreement and that he has informed the Iranian foreign minister and regional allies accordingly.
Albares said that on Wednesday he spoke with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to inform him of this move, adding that it underscores Spain's commitment to participating in peace efforts.
Additionally, Albares held discussions with foreign ministers from several regional countries, including Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Lebanon. In talks with Lebanese Foreign Minister Joseph Aoun, he expressed Spain's support against what he described as Israel’s "brutal and indiscriminate attacks" on Lebanon, calling these actions "a disgrace to the conscience of all humanity."
Spain has become one of the Western countries most strongly criticizing the military operations of the U.S. and Israel, closing its airspace to aircraft involved in Middle East conflicts and condemning Israel’s attacks on Lebanon as "barbaric and merciless," labeling them a stain on human conscience.
Although the U.S. and Iran declared a temporary ceasefire on Tuesday to pave the way for peace talks in Pakistan, led by U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance this Saturday, tensions escalated again when Israel intensified bombing raids on Lebanon, resulting in over 250 deaths.
Israel claims its attacks on Lebanon are "not covered by Donald Trump's ceasefire agreement," while Iran insists that if Israel does not halt its attacks, the entire peace agreement cannot be realized. There is still no sign Iran will open the Strait of Hormuz, which has driven global energy prices close to $150 per barrel.
Amid the airstrikes, the Israeli military confirmed it killed the grandson of Naim Qassem, Hezbollah's deputy secretary general and his personal secretary, while Hezbollah announced a retaliatory rocket attack across the border into Israel on Thursday morning.
Regarding relations with the U.S., Albares said he has no information about the U.S. possibly closing bases in countries not supporting its policies, affirming that the Rota and Morón air bases in Spain continue normal operations at this time.