NATO Chief's Admission on Italy's Role in US-Iran War Sparks Political Firestorm
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte’s admission that 500 United States military aircraft took off from bases in Italy to support operations against Iran has ignited a political storm in Rome. The statement immediately prompted accusations that Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government was not transparent about Italy’s involvement in the war involving the US and Israel against Iran.
In an interview with Fox News ahead of a meeting with US President Donald Trump, Rutte revealed that Italy permitted hundreds of US military aircraft to use American bases on its territory during the raging conflict. “One by one, countries, one by one, allies, have provided their bases,” Rutte said in the interview on Wednesday local time. “That means there were about 4,000 to 5,000 aircraft that took off from European bases to support Epic Fury,” he stated, referring to the US military operation against Iran dubbed “Operation Epic Fury”. “If you look at Italy, 500 US aircraft took off from US bases in Italy to support Epic Fury. This is a very large number,” Rutte told Fox News.
The statement drew scrutiny because it differed from the stance previously conveyed by the Italian government. In March, Meloni assured parliament that Italy “neither supports nor participates” in military operations against Iran. Meloni had also previously stated that only logistical and technical flights were permitted under bilateral agreements concerning US military bases in Italy to support activities related to the US military operation against Iran.
The disclosure of information regarding the use of military bases in Italy immediately triggered a fierce reaction from the opposition. Several parties demanded that the Meloni administration promptly provide an explanation to the public and parliament. Giuseppe Conte, leader of the Five Star Movement and former Italian prime minister, accused the government of deceiving the public. Meanwhile, Peppe De Cristofaro, leader of the Green and Left Alliance, described the situation as “very serious”. He urged Meloni, along with Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani and Defence Minister Guido Crosetto, to immediately provide clarification before the Italian parliament. Another Green and Left Alliance leader, Angelo Bonelli, even claimed Rutte’s statement had exposed “Meloni’s lie”. “The Italian government lied to parliament at the time by concealing 500 American flights. The fact is that Italy participated in the war against Iran, a crazy war,” he alleged.
Amid mounting political pressure, Crosetto denied Rutte’s statement. The Italian defence minister insisted his country only authorised “non-kinetic technical and logistical activities” that fully comply with the Constitution and international agreements. Crosetto also accused Rutte of delivering a “highly misleading” message by equating authorised support flights with combat operations.