Flashback May 2019: NATO Ally Spain Pulls Warship from US Strike Group ‘to Avoid Being Dragged into Conflict with Iran’
PACIFIC OCEAN (July 24, 2010) The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) leads a formation of ships from Korea, Taiwan, Japan, Singapore, France, Canada, Australia and the U.S. during Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2010. RIMPAC is a biennial, multinational exercise designed to strengthen regional partnerships and improve interoperability. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Scott Taylor/Released)
- NATO Ally Spain Pulls Warship from US Strike Group ‘to Avoid Being Dragged into Conflict with Iran’
by https://www.rt.com/, 14 May 2019
Spain has withdrawn a frigate which was part of a US combat group traveling to the Persian Gulf to ‘send a message’ to Iran. Madrid has signaled that the operation falls outside of its military commitments as a NATO member.
–
Acting Defense Minister Margarita Robles ordered the Spanish warship Mendez Nunez to break off from the armada, led by the USS Abraham Lincoln, El Pais reported Tuesday. According to the Spanish newspaper, the decision was made in order to “avoid being involuntarily dragged into any kind of conflict with Iran.”
–
With 215 sailors on board, the Nunez is the only non-US ship present in the strike group currently on its way to the Persian Gulf. The Spanish frigate was enlisted to tag along with the US warships more than a year ago, in hopes of improving training and logistics with Madrid’s trans-Atlantic ally. The operation was originally slated to last six months, from the end of April to October 31, when the Nunez was due to set anchor in San Diego, California.
–
The decision to withdraw from the strike group means that the Nunez will continue to operate in the region, but without entering the Persian Gulf. The Spanish frigate plans to rejoin the US fleet when (or if) it leaves the Gulf and continues on its planned route. The strike group entered the Gulf of Aden, off the coast of Yemen, on Tuesday.
–
Last week, Robles stated that in relation to tensions between the US and Iran, “Spain’s commitment is to the European Union and international organizations, and from there we will always adopt our common positions.” She also stressed that Spain is a “serious and trustworthy partner” but that its military is only bound to agreements made with the EU and NATO.
–
read more.
end