The Mendez Nunez has been temporarily withdrawn from the group (Image: EPA)
The US government has taken a decision outside of the framework of what had been agreed with the Spanish Navy
Margarita Robles
The 215-sailor Mendez Nunez has been temporarily withdrawn from the group led by aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, which is heading for the Persian Gulf. Ms Robles said the decision had been taken because the mission no longer had the objective of celebrating 500 years since the first circumnavigation of the world, as envisaged by a bilateral US-Spanish agreement, she said. She told reporters in Brussels: “The US government has taken a decision outside of the framework of what had been agreed with the Spanish Navy.”
Ms Robles insisted Spain, which has been a member of NATO since 1982, respected the US decision to focus on Iran and would rejoin the group as soon as it returns to its original task.
She said: “Spain will always act as a serious and reliable partner as part of the European Union and within NATO.”
Attempting to clarify the situation subsequently, she said Spain’s decision was taken purely for “technical reasons”.
She further insisted the decision was “not an expression of distaste” over the crossing into the Strait of Hormuz by the fleet.
A picture taken from the deck of the Mendez Nunez in 2017 (Image: Reuters)
Nevertheless, she said Spain had never given its blessing for the frigate to go on a mission in the Persian Gulf.
Ms Robles insisted Spain’s decision was “prudent” and “perfectly admissible” under the terms of a two-year cooperation
