Iran Grants Spanish Ships Free Passage Through the Strait of Hormuz

A Diplomatic Gesture Through a Strategic Chokepoint

Iran is allowing Spanish-flagged vessels to transit the Strait of Hormuz freely — without restrictions, tolls, or impediments — in what Iranian sources are describing as a direct gesture of goodwill towards Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.

The announcement was made by an Iranian source quoted online: "Iran allows the Kingdom of Spain to use the Strait of Hormuz with complete freedom without restrictions or barriers that impede the maritime navigation of Spanish ships and tankers."

The significance of this is considerable. The Strait of Hormuz — the narrow waterway between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman — is one of the world's most critical maritime chokepoints. Approximately 20% of the world's oil supply passes through it. Iran has the capacity to disrupt or block that passage, and has used the threat to do so as a major instrument of geopolitical leverage for decades.

Why Spain? Sanchez's Stance on the War

Iran's favourable treatment of Spanish shipping is directly linked to the position that Pedro Sanchez has taken on the ongoing conflict. The Spanish Prime Minister has been among the most vocal critics of both the United States and Israel over the war, and his outspoken position has earned Spain a degree of diplomatic standing in Tehran that few Western governments currently enjoy.

Iran has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz to shipping from the United States, Israel, and other nations seen as supporting the attacks on Iran — making Spain's exemption all the more notable.

Sanchez has not minced his words. In public statements on the conflict he has said: "Of course, this war is not only illegal — it is inhumane." He has also invoked the broader lessons of recent history to argue against military escalation:

"This is how humanity's great disasters start... You cannot play Russian roulette with the destiny of millions."

Drawing on the aftermath of the Iraq War — which he argued produced a surge in jihadist terrorism and soaring energy prices — Sanchez has made the case that the consequences of the current conflict in Iran will be equally unpredictable and damaging.

Missiles and Messages

In a striking detail reported online, Iran is said to have placed an anti-war message from Sanchez on missiles being fired at Israel — a highly unusual use of a foreign leader's words. The message, attributed to Sanchez, states: "Of course this war is not only illegal it is inhumane" — followed by a thank you from Iran.

The reports have not been independently verified, but they reflect the unusual diplomatic position Spain currently occupies: one of the few Western nations to have maintained a clear critical distance from both US and Israeli conduct during the conflict.

Trump Calls Spain a "Loser"

Spain's stance has come at a cost in Washington. President Donald Trump has responded to Sanchez's position by calling Spain a "loser" and warning that he would take action against the country. The Spanish government has not publicly backed down from its position in response to the criticism.

The dynamic places Spain in an increasingly complex diplomatic position — distanced from Washington, and receiving favourable treatment from Tehran, at a moment when the geopolitical fault lines between the Western alliance and Iran have rarely been sharper.

The Strait of Hormuz: Why It Matters

For Spanish businesses and consumers, free passage through the Strait of Hormuz has tangible economic significance. Spain imports substantial quantities of oil and liquefied natural gas from the Gulf region. Any disruption to Strait of Hormuz transit — whether through Iranian action or the broader conflict — would feed directly into European energy prices.

Spain's exemption, if it holds, provides a degree of insulation against that risk — though the situation remains deeply unpredictable as the conflict in the region continues to develop.

This article is based on reporting from the Majorca Daily Bulletin, published March 25, 2026. This article is for informational purposes only.