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Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has said the ongoing Middle East conflict poses a far greater threat than the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
Speaking in parliament, Sanchez said the situation goes beyond the scale of the Iraq war, warning of deeper and more widespread consequences.
He described the conflict as unjustified and damaging, noting that it could derail progress on economic, social and environmental goals.
“This is not the same scenario as the illegal war in Iraq. We are facing something far worse. Much worse. With a potential impact that is far broader and far deeper,” he told parliament.
“This time, it’s an absurd and illegal war. A cruel one that sets us back from achieving our economic, social, and environmental goals.”
The Spanish leader also stood by his government’s decision to reject requests from the United States to use Spanish military bases for operations against Iran, despite reported pressure from Washington.
Reflecting on the Iraq war, Sanchez said it failed to deliver its objectives and instead worsened living conditions, triggering higher fuel and food prices, migration pressures and increased security threats in Europe.
He warned that the current conflict could produce similar or even more severe economic effects, stressing that its impact is already being felt by households.
According to him, rising tensions in the Middle East are beginning to affect the cost of living, particularly through increased energy prices.
“Every bomb that falls in the Middle East eventually hits — as we are already seeing — the wallets of our families,” Sanchez said.
To cushion the impact, the Spanish government has approved a €5 billion ($5.8 billion) support package, including measures to reduce fuel costs.
Sanchez also criticised the burden placed on citizens, arguing that it is unfair for ordinary people to bear the consequences of a conflict they did not cause.
