In a move that underscores growing tensions between Washington and its NATO allies, Italy has reportedly denied a request by U.S. military aircraft to land at a key base in eastern Sicily while en route to the Middle East for combat operations against Iran.
According to sources within the Italian Ministry of Defense and local media reports, the aircraft were seeking permission to land at the Naval Air Station Sigonella, located near the city of Catania. However, the request was rejected due to procedural constraints, including the need for parliamentary approval for any operation involving combat missions.
Under existing agreements with the United States, American forces are allowed to use certain Italian bases strictly for logistical purposes. Any authorization extending to combat-related activities requires formal consent from both the Italian government and parliament.
A defense source told Agence France-Presse that the request was made while the aircraft were already airborne, leaving insufficient time to secure the necessary approvals, prompting authorities to deny the landing.
The reported incident, which Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera said involved U.S. bombers, comes amid broader European hesitation over involvement in potential military escalation with Iran. Spain has similarly declined to allow U.S. military aircraft to use its bases for operations related to the conflict.
Despite the refusal, the office of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni emphasized that relations with Washington remain strong, describing bilateral ties as “solid and based on full and sincere cooperation.” The statement added that Italy continues to honor its international commitments, with each request assessed on a case-by-case basis.
However, opposition leader Elly Schlein criticized the situation, warning that the United States appears to be seeking to use Italian territory as a launch point for military operations in the Middle East. She called for a consistent policy rejecting such requests, particularly in light of what she described as potentially inappropriate future demands from U.S. military leadership.
The developments highlight increasing divisions within the NATO alliance as member states weigh their positions on escalating tensions in the region.
