VIENNA, April 2 (Xinhua) -- Austria has rejected "several" requests from the United States to use its airspace for military operations against Iran, the Austrian news agency APA reported on Thursday.
A spokesperson for Austria's Defense Ministry said the requests were denied in line with the country's neutrality law. The spokesperson did not specify the exact number of requests, stating only that there were "several," according to APA.
Sven Hergovich, leader of the Social Democratic Party in the state of Lower Austria, called on Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner not to approve any U.S. military flights toward the Gulf, including transport and logistical support flights.
"Spain, France, Italy and Switzerland are doing the same. This war is damaging Austrian economic interests, Europe as a whole, and world peace," Hergovich was quoted as saying.
The Spanish government has closed its airspace to flights associated with U.S. and Israeli military strikes on Iran, including U.S. aircraft deployed in third countries such as the United Kingdom and France. Meanwhile, the Italian government has denied the United States permission to use the Sigonella military air base in Sicily.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that he was strongly considering withdrawing the United States from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) after the alliance failed to join the attacks on Iran. ■