Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez addresses the Congress in Madrid on March 25, 2026 on the Middle East war.
Thomas Coex | Thomas Coex AFP | Getty Images
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Wednesday joined a chorus of world leaders welcoming the announcement of a ceasefire between the United States and Iran, but thinly accused the Trump administration of initiating hostilities.
“A ceasefire is always good news, especially when it leads to a just and lasting peace. But we cannot let this temporary sense of relief make us forget the chaos, destruction and lives lost,” Sanchez said in a social media post, according to a translation.
“The Spanish government is not going to celebrate people who set the world on fire just because they show up with buckets.”
Mr Sanchez, who has emerged as one of the European Union’s leading critics of the US and Israeli offensive against Iran, called for a victory for “diplomacy, international law and peace”.
His comments came shortly after the US president announced he had agreed to halt attacks on Iranian infrastructure for two weeks, sparking widespread relief rallies across risk assets.
President Trump previously threatened that if a deal was not reached by Tuesday’s deadline, “the entire civilization will perish tonight, never to rise again.”
Iranian officials said the temporary ceasefire meant safe passage through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz was “possible” subject to coordination with the military and “technical limitations.” This is a warning that it could give the Iranian government leeway to define compliance on its own terms.
World leaders welcomed the ceasefire, but analysts characterized the agreement as fragile and warned that a significant lack of trust on both sides was likely to complicate the path to lasting peace.
Mr. Sanchez has repeatedly drawn the ire of the White House since the United States and Israel first launched attacks against Iran on February 28.
Spain’s government refused to allow two jointly operated bases on its territory to be used in a U.S. attack on Iran, and subsequently closed its airspace to U.S. military aircraft involved in the attack in an effort to strengthen its anti-war stance.
In response, President Trump reiterated his criticism of Spain’s defense spending and threatened to cut off all trade ties with the southern European country.
World leaders agree to Iran ceasefire
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, alongside Spain’s prime minister, welcomed the two-week ceasefire, saying it would bring “a much-needed détente.”
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the deal was “a step back from the brink after weeks of escalation”.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also welcomed the ceasefire agreement, saying it would “bring a moment of relief to the region and the world.”
Israel supported the US ceasefire with Iran but said the deal did not include fighting Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey, India, China and Japan all issued statements welcoming the diplomatic breakthrough brokered by Pakistan.
Further talks to seek a comprehensive end to the Middle East crisis are scheduled to be held in Islamabad on Friday.
—CNBC’s Kevin Breuninger contributed to this report.
