STORY: Spain has agreed to cooperate with the U.S. military, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Wednesday (March 4), a day after President Donald Trump threatened to cut trade with Madrid over its stance against the U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran.

"I think they heard the president's message yesterday loud and clear. It is my understanding over the past several hours they've agreed to cooperate with the US military," Leavitt told a news briefing.

Trump floated imposing a trade embargo on Madrid over its refusal to allow U.S. aircraft to use jointly operated naval and air bases in southern Spain for the offensive against Tehran. Spain has denounced the U.S. and Israeli bombings of Iran as reckless and illegal.

Spain "will not be vassals" to another country, Deputy Prime Minister Maria Jesus Montero said on Wednesday. In a televised address earlier, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez reiterated Spain's anti-war stance, warning that the conflict risked triggering a major global disaster.

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VIDEO SHOWS: SOUNDBITE FROM WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY KAROLINE LEAVITT

RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SCRIPT

SHOWS: WASHINGTON, D.C., UNITED STATES (MARCH 4, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

1. WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY KAROLINE LEAVITT WALKING TO LECTERN

2. (SOUNDBITE) (English) WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY, KAROLINE LEAVITT, SAYING:

"With respect to Spain, I think they heard the president's message yesterday loud and clear. And it's my understanding over the past several hours they've agreed to cooperate with the U.S. military and so I know that the U.S. military is coordinating with their counterparts in Spain. But the president expects all of our European allies, of course, to cooperate in this long sought after mission, not just for the United States, but also for Europe to crush the rogue Iranian regime that, again, not only threatens America, but also threatens our European allies as well."