Spain publicly contradicts White House claim of military cooperation deal

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated on March 4, 2026 that Spain had "agreed to cooperate with the US military" on Iran operations, implying Madrid had reversed its refusal to allow use of joint NATO bases. Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares immediately denied it, telling Spanish radio that the government's position had "not changed one iota." The public contradiction between a NATO ally and the White House press secretary was covered internationally as an instance of the administration claiming a diplomatic agreement that did not exist.