Juan Montenegro, a former representative of Spain in NATO and EU military committees from 2018 to 2021, possesses a comprehensive understanding of the potential repercussions that the United States may impose due to Spain's lack of support in the ongoing war in Iran. Notably, Montenegro firmly believes that expulsion from the NATO alliance is not a feasible option. He emphasizes that while a member nation might choose to withdraw, NATO itself does not have the authority to expel a member. Montenegro speculates that the airbase in Morón could eventually be relocated to Morocco, a move that he sees as increasingly likely. This relocation would involve transferring a few aircraft, constituting a relatively straightforward operation that could be completed within a few months. Given the decade-long defense agreement that Morocco has signed, coupled with Israel's establishment of arms manufacturing facilities on Moroccan soil, such a transition would not be surprising. Montenegro views this potential move as a symbolic gesture from the U.S. to express dissatisfaction with Spain's perceived failure to act in accordance with its role as a Moroccan ally.
When discussing the fate of the Rota naval base, Montenegro indicates a stark contrast to Morón. He describes Rota as a significant military installation, akin to a cathedral, noting that relocating such a base elsewhere would be an immense undertaking. The financial investments made by the Americans in Rota have been substantial and continue to grow, supported by a bilateral treaty that is currently in force with Spain. Therefore, the prospect of moving the naval base to another country, such as Germany, where the Ramstein base is located, is not seen as viable. The German government, along with those of Italy and France, has also expressed opposition to the current military actions against Iran, further complicating any potential relocation.
Montenegro further elaborates on the various dimensions in which the U.S. could impose penalties on Spain. While there are several bilateral defense agreements in place, he doubts that the U.S. would resort to such measures as it would escalate tensions to a wartime level. Notably, Spain is heavily reliant on the U.S. for maintaining its frigates and acquiring spare parts for F-18 aircraft, which underscores the intricate defense relationship between the two nations.
As reported by larazon.es.
