Key facts
- Italy has denied authorizing the use of its airbases for US attacks on Iran.
- Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani stated Italy respects treaties with the US and has not participated in military initiatives against Iran.
- Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Defence Minister Guido Crosetto also denied direct military action or confirmed only technical/logistical use of bases.
- A specific incident involved denying landing to US bombers at Sigonella airbase due to improper authorization for carrying weapons.
- Italy's government maintains its actions are in full compliance with international agreements and parliamentary procedures.
Italy has denied authorizing the use of its airbases for US attacks on Iran, following remarks by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte that suggested otherwise. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani stated in a phone call with his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, that Italy has never participated in military initiatives against Iran and has always respected treaties with the United States.
Tajani wrote on X that Italy has never taken part in any military initiative and has never authorized the use of bases for war actions against Iran, in the strictest respect of the treaties with the United States. These comments came a day after Italy rebuked remarks by Rutte, which had sparked a political row in Italy. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni had previously denied that Italian bases were used for direct military action against Iran. Defence Minister Guido Crosetto clarified that the airbases were used exclusively for technical and logistical activities.
Reports indicated that Italy denied the use of an airbase in Sicily to US military planes carrying weapons for the war in Iran because the US did not follow the required authorization procedure. A source at the Italian defense ministry confirmed that some US bombers were due to land at Sigonella before heading to the Middle East, but the use of the base was denied because the US sought authorization to land only while the aircraft were already en route. This meant there was insufficient time to seek approval in parliament, as required for aircraft landing on naval bases with weapons. According to treaties established in the late 1950s, US navy bases can be used for logistical and training purposes but not as transit hubs for aircraft transporting weapons for war, unless in an emergency situation.
The office of Prime Minister Meloni issued a statement denying that the move had caused critical issues or frictions with international partners, and stated that relations with the US were solid and based on full and loyal cooperation. The statement also said Italy was acting in full compliance with existing international agreements and parliamentary procedures, with each request carefully examined on a case-by-case basis.
Opposition parties have urged the government to block the US from using Italy’s bases for involvement in the Middle East conflict. Giuseppe Conte, leader of the Five Star Movement, stated that Italy had a duty to deny US bombers access to Sigonella and needed to take a further step by denying logistical support offered at all the country’s bases. Meloni had previously criticized US-Israeli military strikes, calling them an intervention outside the scope of international law, but also stated the necessity of preventing a nuclear-armed Iran. Anger has been growing in Sicily due to increased activity at the Sigonella base since the start of the conflict.