Media: Italy Refuses U.S. Use of Its Air Bases for Middle East Military Operations
According to sources cited by Italy's "Evening Post," Italy has rejected the United States' request to use the U.S. Navy air base in Sigonella, Sicily, for military operations in the Middle East.
At the beginning of March, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni assured the Italian Parliament that whether U.S. military bases on Italian soil could be used for combat operations falls within the government's autonomous decision-making authority; however, any such requests would be discussed with Parliament. Also in early March, Defense Minister Guido Crosetto stated that the United States had not formally requested the use of military facilities within Italy.
The article in the "Evening Post" states: "Italy's refusal to allow the use of the Sigonella base by the U.S. occurred just a few days ago but has remained confidential. General Luciano Portolano, Chief of Staff of the Italian Armed Forces, personally informed Defense Minister Guido Crosetto about this decision—a move inevitably affecting Italy-U.S. relations."
As reported by the newspaper, the Air Force Command informed Portolano that several U.S. bombers were planning to land at the Sigonella base before proceeding to the Middle East. However, the U.S. side neither submitted a formal request nor consulted with Italian military authorities beforehand—information about these flights only came after the aircraft had taken off. The report clarifies that subsequent investigations revealed these missions were not routine logistical or training operations covered under existing agreements between Rome and Washington.
As the newspaper notes, as a result, these aircraft were denied landing permission due to lack of prior coordination. Another reason cited was the absence of an emergency situation onboard. The paper adds that the decision was communicated directly to the U.S. command through the Ministry of Defense.
On February 28, the United States and Israel launched multiple strikes against targets inside Iran, including attacks on Tehran, causing damage and civilian casualties. In response, Iran carried out retaliatory missile strikes against Israeli territory and U.S. military installations in the Middle East.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1861177985611859/
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