Italy has refused to allow US forces to use the Sigonella Naval Air Station in Sicily for combat operations against Iran, marking the latest instance of Washington facing resistance from its allies. The Italian government announced the decision on March 31, following Spain's closure of its airspace to US military aircraft involved in strikes against Iran the previous day.
According to sources from the Italian Defense Ministry, several US bomber aircraft requested landing permission at Sigonella after already taking off. The base was unable to process the request in time to complete parliamentary approval procedures, resulting in denial. Under a bilateral treaty dating back to the 1950s, US naval bases in Italy may be used for logistics and training purposes but cannot serve as transit hubs for war weapons except in emergencies. The bomber aircraft involved in this incident were not logistical transport planes and therefore fell outside the scope of the treaty, requiring Italian parliamentary approval.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's office denied that the incident had caused any serious problems or friction between the US and Italy, stating that bilateral relations remain strong and are "built on full and loyal cooperation." However, Meloni has previously publicly criticized US military actions as exceeding the scope of international law and made clear that Italy would not participate in the war.
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