Spain to Resume Operations at Embassy in Tehran
Spain's Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares has confirmed the reopening of the Spanish embassy in Tehran, a decision announced during his address in Congress.
According to Ukrinform, Spain's Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares has confirmed the resumption of operations at the Spanish embassy in Tehran. This decision was announced during his speech in Congress, where he was explaining the agreement between the European Union and the United Kingdom regarding Gibraltar.
Albares noted that he had instructed Spain's ambassador to Iran, Antonio Sánchez-Benedito, to return to Tehran and reopen the embassy, which had been temporarily closed since March 7. The minister emphasized that this decision is part of Spain's efforts to promote peace in the region.
"I have instructed our ambassador in Tehran to return, resume his duties, and reopen the Spanish embassy in Tehran. We are all contributing to these peace efforts from every possible angle, including from the very capital of Iran," Albares stated.
The Spanish Foreign Minister also reported that on Wednesday, he had a conversation with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araqchi, during which he informed him of Spain's decision to resume operations at the embassy in Tehran. This decision was made in light of the "new situation" that arose following the ceasefire agreement reached between the United States, Israel, and Iran.
Albares underscored that the reopening of the embassy reflects Spain's commitment to joining international efforts for peace, particularly within Iran. This decision signifies Spain's desire to support stability in the region and to facilitate dialogue among the conflicting parties.
However, the reaction to this decision has been mixed. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar condemned the reopening of the Spanish embassy in Tehran, calling it an "eternal disgrace." Such statements indicate the tension in relations between Israel and Iran, as well as concerns from the Israeli side regarding the potential consequences of this move.
It is noteworthy that previously, the United States, Israel, and Iran agreed to a two-week mutual ceasefire, which also included the reopening of commercial shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz. This marked an important step in reducing tensions in a region where the situation remains extremely complex.
Additionally, Spain has closed its airspace to American planes involved in attacks on Iran. Earlier, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez prohibited American military forces from using Spanish military bases for attacks on targets in Iran, indicating Spain's desire to maintain neutrality in this conflict.
Thus, the reopening of the Spanish embassy in Tehran is a significant step in the context of international efforts towards a peaceful resolution of the conflict in the region, as well as reflecting Spain's active stance on foreign policy issues.