Italy Slams Nato Chief's Comments on Iran War Flights
Italy said it approved only technical and logistical U.S. flights, as NATO later clarified Mark Rutte was referring to existing basing and overflight agreements.
- On Wednesday, Italy pushed back against NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte's claim that 500 U.S. aircraft launched from Italian bases to support operations against Iran, stating Rome authorized only "technical and logistical" flights.
- Ties are strained between Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and President Donald Trump following a public spat last week over Italy's refusal to support the U.S. military campaign against Iran.
- Rutte told Fox News that Europe acts as a "platform of power projection for the United States," citing 4,000 to 5,000 sorties by U.S. planes from European bases during the conflict.
- Defence Minister Guido Crosetto expressed surprise at the "totally misleading message," while opposition leaders seized on Rutte's comments demanding fresh government explanations.
- Italy hosts around 120 U.S. military facilities including Aviano Air Base and Sigonella, with Defence Minister Crosetto stating the government denied requests outside authorized technical scope.
32 Articles
32 Articles
The Italian government is under fire following statements by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte regarding Italy's role in the American military operation against Iran. In an interview with the American channel Fox News, Rutte stated that approximately five hundred American aircraft had taken off from American bases in Italy in support of the US attack on Iran.
The Secretary General of NATO says that for the war in the Middle East 500 U.S. aircraft have taken off from Italy: it was a painful button
"We respected the agreements and our Constitution," Rome responds - Reactions from the opposition: Our government, and primarily the prime minister, have the obligation to provide immediate explanations
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has clashed with Italy on Wednesday with the U.S. war against Iran and has done so at the same time as commending Donald Trump's role. "I understand perfectly the disappointment, but if we take Italy as an example, 500 U.S. aircraft took off from U.S. bases in Italy to support the operation.So this is a huge figure," he commented on Washington's criticism of the Allies' behavior during the offensive. Rutte, who …
The Italian Ministry of Defense denied having made its bases available to 500 U.S. aircraft to participate in the offensive against Iran, and called it...
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