Spain's defense minister dismisses Trump's treat to cut troops

MADRID -- Spain's Defense Minister Margarita Robles on Friday dismissed US President Donald Trump's threat to cut American troops from European countries, including Spain, amid disagreements over Washington's military actions against Iran.

Trump accused Spain and Italy of failing to support the United States in its ongoing conflict with Iran, adding them to Germany as potential targets for a reduction in US troop deployments.

In comments broadcast by Spanish public broadcaster RTVE, Robles described Trump's statements as "neither appropriate nor, of course, based on any legal grounds."

"We do not accept lectures, and we remain absolutely calm because Spain is among the countries that most fully comply with its commitments to NATO," she said, noting that around 4,000 Spanish troops are currently deployed in international missions.

She reiterated that Spain "cannot be asked to support an illegal war that lacks international backing."

The Spanish government knows what it is doing, Robles added, stressing its commitment to peace, international law, the Atlantic Alliance, and peacekeeping operations worldwide.

"We therefore do not accept lessons from anyone," she said.

Spain has consistently opposed the way the Middle East conflict has been handled since its outset. Madrid has also closed its airspace to US planes involved in combat missions against Iran.