A group of 22 Spanish nationals has been successfully evacuated from Iran, crossing the land border into Azerbaijan as tensions escalate in the Middle East. This evacuation comes amid a charged atmosphere in Barcelona, where demonstrators gathered on Wednesday to protest the US and Israeli military strikes on Iran. This conflict has placed significant diplomatic and economic pressure on Spain.
Your browser does not support the video tag.
The group crossed the Azerbaijan–Iran border on Wednesday afternoon. They are making their way to Madrid via Baku and Istanbul, with an expected arrival on Thursday. In a post on X, Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares confirmed they were “now safe,” adding that the Spanish embassy in Tehran remains “fully operational” with essential personnel.
The evacuation underscores the gravity of the ongoing crisis, which began with joint US-Israeli military action in Iran on February 28, 2026. Led by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, the Spanish government has maintained a firm diplomatic stance. It rejects a war with Iran and refuses to allow its military bases for related missions. This position has drawn sharp criticism from US President Donald Trump, who has threatened a trade embargo against Spain.
Protests and Political Pressure
The geopolitical rift resonated on the streets of Barcelona this week. As local outlet betevé reported, protestors gathered on March 4 to condemn the military intervention. Some held photographs of Prime Minister Sánchez, showing support for his administration’s anti-war stance. These demonstrations highlight the local impact of a conflict that feels increasingly close to home.
Meanwhile, the Spanish government is attempting to navigate precarious economic waters stirred by Trump’s threats. Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo sought to project calm, sending a message of “tranquility” to businesses. He emphasised the importance of “advancing” commercial integration with the US. Madrid recently opened two new economic and commercial offices in the country, signalling its long-term commitment despite current diplomatic friction.
Catalonia’s Economic Stake
While the United States is not Spain’s largest trading partner, accounting for just 4.3% of total Spanish exports in 2025, economic ties are deep and complex. Catalonia, in particular, is exposed. According to figures from ACCIÓ (Catalonia Trade & Investment) and reported by Ara Cat, Catalan businesses were responsible for over a quarter (25.2%) of Spain’s total exports to the US in 2025, valued at €4.2 billion. Key sectors include pharmaceuticals, machinery, cosmetics, and wine.
This reliance makes the region sensitive to any disruption. Overall, Spanish exports to the US fell by 8% in 2025 to €16.7 billion, a decline attributed to tariff policies and uncertainty following the new Trump administration. Conversely, US imports into Spain grew by 7% to €30.1 billion, widening Spain’s trade deficit with the US to €13.4 billion.
Energy also represents a critical pressure point. In 2025, 30% of Spain’s natural gas came from the US in the form of liquefied natural gas (LNG), making it the second-largest supplier after Algeria. Spain also serves as a crucial entry point for American LNG into the wider European market, a dependency that gives Washington significant leverage.
Investment and an Uncertain Future
Beyond trade, the investment relationship is paramount. The US is both the primary destination for Spanish foreign investment (over €91 billion in 2025) and the leading investor in Spain (over €117 billion). This deep integration explains why business leaders are watching the diplomatic standoff with concern. Banco Santander President Ana Botín told Bloomberg, “I am sure that relations will be excellent again soon.”
However, this uncertainty has already had tangible effects. Spanish olive oil cooperative Dcoop has suspended its planned acquisition of the US company Pompeian. As geopolitical tensions challenge economic stability, questions arise about what steps President Trump could realistically take.
Experts suggest his options are limited but potent. Imposing tariffs solely on Spain would likely violate World Trade Organisation rules and risk a transatlantic trade war. A more severe, though less likely, option would be to invoke the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), which would allow the freezing of assets and blocking of transactions. Omar Rachedi, an economics professor at EsadeGeo, told Ara Cat that using such powers against an ally like Spain would be “extraordinary.”
For now, the Spanish government is preparing for potential fallout. Minister Cuerpo suggested measures like an “energy shield” could be deployed if necessary. As the diplomatic, economic, and human dimensions of the conflict continue to unfold, Barcelona and Catalonia find themselves at the crossroads of a global crisis.
