ROME, Mar 31 : Italy has denied the US military permission to land its aircraft at its airbase in Sicily for onward deployment to West Asia, citing a technical procedure, making it the second European nation after Spain to actively deny Washington its airbase for military uses amid the ongoing war in Iran, further straining NATO’s ties with Washington.
The decision centres on a base in eastern Sicily, where reportedly US bombers were planning a stopover enroute to the region. However, Italian authorities denied the request owing to a technicality, noting that Rome had not been formally consulted – a step mandated under bilateral agreements governing Washington’s use of military bases on Italian soil.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s administration stressed that landing any military aircraft would officially require parliamentary approval.
As per officials, owing to a longstanding treaty framework between Rome and Washington, which goes back all the way to 1950, any American access to Italian bases is limited primarily for logistical support and training, and explicitly restricts using Italian soil as a transit hub for active combat operations without formal political authorisation.
The issue appears to have been further compounded by timing. According to reports, US aircraft were already enroute when permission was sought, effectively bypassing the advance consultation process expected by Rome – a move that raised both procedural and sovereignty concerns within the Italian government.
Italy’s stance follows a similar move by Spain, making it the second European country to deny the US military use of its territory in connection with the escalating conflict involving Iran.
While Rome has not ruled out future cooperation, officials made clear that any Italian involvement would have to be in accordance with the existing technical framework via formal political channels as per procedure, which includes a parliamentary debate before a green light is given.
(
UNI)
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