According to a royal decree published in the Spanish official gazette on Wednesday (March 11), the Spanish government has officially recalled its ambassador to Israel, Ana Salomon. Currently, the Spanish embassy in Tel Aviv is managed by a chargé d'affaires, maintaining the same diplomatic rank as Israel since recalling its ambassador to Madrid in May 2024.

Almost simultaneously with this diplomatic downgrade taking effect, the Spanish shipping industry received a strategic boost. Iran's deputy foreign minister stated on Thursday (March 12) that ships from certain countries would be allowed to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. According to sources in the Madrid shipping industry, Spanish ships will be included in the list of permitted passage. This means that Spain, which has publicly condemned the US and Israel's military strikes against Iran, can now safely allow its merchant ships and tankers to re-enter and exit the Gulf region without having to detour via the expensive Cape of Good Hope route.

Spanish Prime Minister Sánchez has recently been one of the most outspoken critics of US and Israeli actions in Europe. He has not only rejected the US's use of its military bases in Spain to strike Iran but also faces threats from Trump to cut off trade. Tehran's tacit approval allowed Madrid to maintain its position as a "voice of reason" while also securing its vital energy transport route.

"We will not betray our values out of fear of retaliation," Sánchez said last week in response to Trump's attacks. Sticking to its position proved to have cost Spain nothing in the Strait of Hormuz; on the contrary, it ensured unimpeded shipping.Editor/Cao Tianyi