Italy Denies Involvement in US Military Operations Against Iran

Italian Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani has assured Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi that his country is not involved in American military operations against the Islamic Republic of Iran. “Italy has never taken part in any military initiative and has never authorised the use of its military bases for military action against Iran, in accordance with the agreements in force with the United States,” Tajani wrote on his X account on Thursday. The statement was a response to remarks by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, who told Fox News on Wednesday that the United States had carried out 500 flights from Italian territory in support of operations against Iran. The Italian Deputy Prime Minister also urged Araghchi to fully restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz to ensure the smooth passage of Italian cargo ships. Tajani added that the reopening of the Italian Embassy in Tehran represents an important signal for dialogue and the resumption of economic and cultural relations between the two countries. Meanwhile, the Italian Ministry of Defence described Mark Rutte’s statement as misleading, explaining that only technical and logistical flights from US military bases in Italy were authorised during the operation against Iran.