Italy Denies US Used Its Airbases for Strikes on Iran After NATO Chief's Claim

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Thursday denied that the United States had actively used Italian airbases for airstrikes on Iran, contradicting remarks made by NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte. Speaking at a Franco-Italian summit in France, Meloni said Italy provided only technical and logistical support to the US, and never participated in any military action against Iran.

In an interview with Fox News on Tuesday, Rutte claimed that Italy had played a key role in the US-Iran conflict by allowing 500 US aircraft to use Italian bases for strikes as part of Operation Epic Fury. Meloni described these remarks as “misleading” and reiterated that Italy had not authorised the active use of its bases for combat missions.

Shortly after Meloni’s statement, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani spoke with his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, to clarify Italy’s stance. In a post on X, Tajani wrote: “Italy has never taken part in any military action against Iran and never authorised the use of its airbases against strike on them.” The conversation was part of efforts to ease tensions between Rome and Tehran.

Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto also addressed the issue, providing data on flight transits at the Sigonella and Aviano airbases. He stated that the number of flights during the Epic Fury period was “far lower” than the annual average between 2019 and 2025, suggesting that the US did not significantly ramp up operations from Italian soil.

Italy hosts approximately 120 US military facilities, including the Sigonella naval air station in Sicily and the Aviano air base in northern Italy. These bases have long been used for US operations under bilateral agreements. A NATO official later clarified that Rutte’s comments referred to these existing agreements, under which allies provide basing, technical support, and overflight arrangements.

Iran responded strongly to the controversy. Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi warned that according to UN General Assembly Resolution 3314, providing territory for a third state to carry out aggression constitutes an act of aggression itself. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei stated that Italy and Romania were explicitly named by Rutte as participants in aggression against Iran, calling it a “clear and damning admission” of complicity.

The incident highlights the delicate balance Italy and other NATO allies must maintain: supporting US military operations while avoiding direct involvement in conflicts that could draw them into war. The US has led airstrikes against Iran following a period of heightened tensions, but Italy insists its role remained within the bounds of logistical support only.