Iran Attacks Israel With Ballistic Missiles Carrying Pedro Sánchez's Antiwar Message

Iran's Revolutionary Guard has been placing stickers featuring Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's antiwar message on ballistic missiles fired toward Israel.

“Live: War in the Middle East War in the Middle East: Iran and Hizbulá manage to defy the Israeli defensive shield: "It is undeniable that the system failed on Saturday in Arad and Dimona"”

El Mundo

The stickers, carrying Sánchez's remarks in both English and Persian, read, "Of course, this war is not only illegal, but also inhuman. Thank You, Prime Minister" (Mint).

El Mundo

Iranian state media showed adhesive labels being placed on missiles launched from Tehran to Tel Aviv, with a Tasnim video affiliated with the Revolutionary Guard displaying soldiers attaching rectangular posters bearing Sánchez's photograph to missile surfaces (Olive Press).

The move came days after Sánchez reiterated Spain's strong opposition to the ongoing conflict, declaring a clear "no to war" stance and criticizing US-Israeli strikes on Iran as "unjustifiable," "illegal" and "dangerous" (News18).

The practice of writing messages on weapons is not new, but the use of a European leader's anti-war remarks has drawn particular international attention (News18).

Spain has taken a distinctive position within Europe since the conflict began, with the Spanish government denying US forces access to the jointly operated Rota naval base and Moron air base for operations against Iran, a move that drew sharp criticism from US President Donald Trump (News18).

At a recent European Union summit, Sánchez doubled down on his position, warning that the conflict risks severe humanitarian and economic consequences globally (News18).

Mint

While Sánchez has not used the exact words paraphrased on the Iranian missiles, he has repeatedly condemned US-Israeli strikes as 'unilateral' and 'illegal,' adding that Spain's stance on the conflict could be 'summed up in four words: no to the war' (Olive Press).

The Spanish government has yet to comment on the Iranian use of Sánchez's image and words on the missiles, though Sanchez himself insisted that Spain was 'on the right side of history' during a meeting in Brussels (Olive Press).

Iran's semi-official Mehr News Agency reported that the adhesive labels were placed on missiles launched from Tehran to Tel Aviv, indicating international attention on Spain's position (Mint).

Iran's state media has portrayed the use of Sánchez's message on missiles as a strategic propaganda move, with the semi-official Mehr News Agency reporting that the adhesive labels were placed on missiles launched from Tehran to Tel Aviv (Mint).

“‘Thank You Prime Minister’: Iranian Missiles Carry Spain PM Sanchez's 'Anti-War' Message To Israel The stickers, seen in visuals circulated by Iranian media, were affixed to ballistic missiles before they were launched towards Israel”

News18

In the same Tasnim video, soldiers are seen affixing a separate thank-you message to 'those who expressed sympathy in London for Trump's war crimes in Iran,' which appears to reference a protest rally that took place in London on March 7 (Olive Press).

The Iranian messaging appears designed to internationalize the conflict by highlighting support from Western leaders and public opinion against US-Israeli actions (News18).

The video published on X (formerly Twitter) was accompanied by a stark post: "Inscriptions on missiles that will soon be launched toward the occupied territories," framing the attacks within the context of Israeli occupation (Olive Press).

Iran has effectively shut down the Strait of Hormuz, a vital maritime route for a fifth of the world's oil, to all US allies in a move that experts fear may soon cripple global economies (Olive Press).

The Israeli Foreign Ministry responded sharply to the Iranian propaganda, retweeting the post with pointed words for Sánchez: "Pedro Sanchez – Iran's mullah regime is thanking you by putting your words on the missiles it fires at civilians in Israel and the Arab world. How does it feel knowing your face and words are on these missiles? Keep in mind that Europe – including Spain – is within range of these missiles" (Olive Press).

The Israeli response highlights the regional tensions and the potential escalation of the conflict, with Iran demonstrating its missile capabilities and range (News18).

Olive Press News Spain

The attacks on oil-rich nations in the Gulf, some of which have targeted energy facilities, have exacerbated concerns of a global energy supply shock and drawn international condemnation (News18).

Iran has kept up retaliatory attacks on Saudi Arabia, UAE and nearby nations in response to US-Israeli strikes, further destabilizing the already volatile region (News18).

The Iranian messaging appears designed to internationalize the conflict by highlighting support from Western leaders and public opinion against US-Israeli actions (Mint).

The West Asia conflict, which began on February 28, between the Islamic Republic and Israel entered its 24th day on Monday, with both sides intensifying military operations (News18).

“The raging power centre in Tehran has used Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s anti-war remarks by attaching his words, written in both English and Persian, to a missile aimed at Israel, local media reported, as Iran continues its violent struggle with Israeli-American forces”

The Times of India

More than 2,000 people have been killed since the conflict began, which has rattled global markets, driven up fuel costs, stoked inflation fears and strained the postwar Western alliance (News18).

The Times of India

Trump has set a deadline, warning that the US could strike Iran's power infrastructure if Tehran does not reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours, even as Washington signalled it might consider winding down the conflict (News18).

The conflict has further strained tense US-Spain relations after the Spanish government's decision about its bases, with Trump lambasting Sanchez over the decision and threatening to cut off all trade with Spain (Olive Press).

The strategic use of Sánchez's antiwar message by Iran represents a new dimension in the information warfare aspects of the conflict, demonstrating how regional powers leverage international political divisions for propaganda purposes (Mint).