Spain withdraws ambassador to Israel amid standoff over US-Israeli attacks on Iran

Spain permanently withdrew its ambassador to Israel on Tuesday as a ​diplomatic standoff worsened between the two countries ‌over Spain’s opposition to the US-Israeli attacks on Iran.

The ambassador was summoned back to Spain last September amid a diplomatic ​row over Spanish measures banning aircraft and ships ​carrying weapons to Israel from its ports ⁠or airspace due to Israel’s military offensive in ​Gaza, which Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar denounced ​as antisemitic.

On Tuesday, Spain published an announcement in its official gazette that the ambassador’s position had been terminated. Spain’s Foreign ​Ministry said its embassy in Tel Aviv ​will be led by a charge d’affaires for the foreseeable ‌future.

The ⁠move marks the latest escalation in diplomatic relations between the two countries, which have been heavily strained since Israel launched its assault on the Gaza ​Strip in ​October of ⁠2023.

Israel’s embassy in Spain is also run by a charge d’affaires after the ​country summoned its ambassador last May ​in protest ⁠at Spain’s decision to recognise a Palestinian state.

Tensions have heightened since the US-Israeli strikes on Iran, ⁠with ​Sa’ar accusing Spain in early March ​of “standing with tyrants” for opposing the war. 

Iran’s military command said on Wednesday the world should be prepared for oil to hit $200 a barrel, as three more ships came under attack in the blockaded Gulf.

Iran fired at Israel and targets ​across the Middle East on Wednesday, demonstrating it can still fight back and disrupt energy supplies despite what the Pentagon has described as the most intense US-Israeli strikes yet.