An Israeli legal advocacy group has formally asked the International Criminal Court to issue an arrest warrant for Spain’s prime minister, accusing him of aiding war crimes and crimes against humanity through alleged transfers of explosive-related components to Iran.
In a detailed filing submitted under Article 15 of the Rome Statute, Shurat HaDin said there is a “reasonable and credible basis” to investigate Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez over what it described as material assistance to Tehran.
The complaint alleges that Spain approved the export of about 1.3 million euros ($1.4 million) worth of dual-use components, including detonators and other explosive-related materials, between 2024 and mid-2025. The group argues these items are “functionally critical” for activating explosive devices and therefore constitute operational support rather than civilian industrial goods.
Shurat HaDin claims the transfers took place despite what it described as a well-documented pattern of Iran supplying weapons and explosive systems to allied groups, including Hezbollah, Hamas and the Houthis, which it says have used them in attacks on civilians.
The filing argues that under international law, providing essential components that enable weapons to function can amount to aiding and abetting war crimes, even if the items are classified as dual-use. It further contends that the risks of misuse were foreseeable, citing public reporting, regulatory frameworks and political debate within Spain at the time.
The group also pointed to Iranian media coverage showing missiles bearing images of Sánchez alongside messages thanking him, describing it as evidence that Tehran viewed Spanish policy as supportive.
In its submission, Shurat HaDin called on the ICC prosecutor to open a formal investigation and issue an arrest warrant against Sánchez, as well as examine the role of other officials involved in export decisions.
There was no immediate response from Spanish officials.