Italy has risked the wrath of Donald Trump after refusing to let US warplanes land at a Sicily airbase for an operation linked to the Iran war. Local media reported “some US bombers” were due to land at the Sigonella base, but they were denied from doing so because America had not requested clearance, and Italian top brass had not been consulted.
Officials, speaking on anonymity, confirmed the report. It is understood that the refusal was issued a few days ago and that the bombers were supposed to land at Sigonella, near Catania, before continuing towards the Middle East, where the US continues to launch strikes on Iran. Under agreements governing US military use of bases in Italy, Rome must be formally consulted and grant approval before operations can proceed.
The bilateral treaties between the US and Italy, a NATO member, only cover logistical and training purposes.
Defence minister Guido Crosetto said it was “simply false” that Italy had blocked the US access to the bases, insisting they are regulated by a 1954 agreement.
In a translated post on X, he said the bases remain “active” and “nothing has changed”, adding: “International agreements clearly regulate and distinguish what requires specific Government authorization (for which it has been decided to always involve Parliament), without which it is not possible to grant anything, and what is instead considered technically authorized because it is included in the agreements.
“A minister only has to ensure they are respected.”
The Italian government said its relationship with Washington is “solid and based on full and loyal cooperation”.
The government of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, an ally of the US President, said in a statement that Italy is acting “in full compliance with existing international agreements and the government’s guidelines expressed in parliament”.
It said each request for the military use of Italian bases is examined on a case-by-case basis, in line with its longstanding procedure.
“No critical issues or frictions with international partners have been registered,” it added.
Sir Keir Starmer has received the brunt of Mr Trump’s criticism, which started after the UK initially refused to allow the US to use British bases to carry out strikes on Iran.
The Prime Minister later allowed America to launch limited, defensive action from the sites.
Mr Trump has also slammed Spain and threatened to halt all trade after Madrid stopped the US from using its bases for operations against Iran.
Source link
