Fact Check: Did Trump dismiss Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez over his stance on Iran?
WASHINGTON, DC: Amid the conflict in the Middle East, the Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez, opposed the war and refused the use of Spanish military bases, following which a video has been going viral on social media platforms, showing President Donald Trump dismissing Sanchez. Let us analyze the video and fact-check its authenticity.
Claim: Donald Trump dismissed Pedro Sánchez over Iran
The viral clip shows the two leaders at a diplomatic meeting speaking to each other. Trump then appears to point to a chair for Sánchez before the Spanish prime minister smiles to himself and takes a seat.
The video has been shared with the claim that the US president is refusing to let Spain dictate terms on US military access.
The clip has been shared on Instagram, Threads, TikTok, and X, also been circulated in French, Spanish, and Vietnamese, garnering millions of views and shares.
The video surfaced as Sánchez has drawn the ire of the Trump administration for opposing the war and refusing the use of Spanish military bases, following which Trump responded by calling Spain a 'terrible' ally, threatening to cut off all trade with Madrid.
Fact Check: The video is unrelated to the ongoing conflict
However, the claim of disagreement between the two leaders in the video is untrue, as the video is not related to the ongoing conflict with Iran.
A reverse image search for the key frames of the clip reveals that the footage is from the G20 global leaders summit in Osaka, Japan, which happened on June 28, 2019.
According to the video’s description, Trump was telling the Spanish prime minister to 'sit down'.
Although the gesture was interpreted as a snub, there are no reports of either leader commenting on the exchange.
Donald Trump says war with Iran could end anytime
Previously, during an interview, Trump claimed that the war with Iran would end 'soon' and could finish whenever he decides. He said there is 'practically nothing left to target.'
Amid rising tensions in the Middle East, Trump added, “Little this and that… Any time I want it to end, it will end.” While he suggested that most objectives of the operation in Iran have been achieved, strikes and attacks in the region continue.
While still calling the recent start of the war an 'extraordinary mistake' and 'not in accordance with international law,' Sánchez nuanced his position, saying 'cooperation' should prevail over 'confrontation' in relations with the United States.
