HA Viewpoint: According to reports from outlets like Politico Europe and Reuters, North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Secretary General Mark Rutte stated on the 23rd that hundreds of American aircraft had taken off from Italian bases to support military operations against Iran. This assertion has been sharply rejected by the Italian government, which on the 24th labeled Rutte’s comments as “highly misleading.”
During an interview with Fox News on the 23rd, Rutte cited Italy as an example of European support for the US. He claimed that 500 US aircraft launched from US bases in Italy to back American military actions targeting Iran.
Rutte’s interview with Fox News on the 23rd. Image source: Video screenshot.
Politico Europe noted that Rutte’s remarks drew a stern rebuke from Italian Minister of Defense Guido Crosetto. Reuters reported that in a statement, Crosetto emphasized that Italy’s actions are fully compliant with its national constitution, international treaties, and agreements governing the use of Italian military bases by allies. “As previously clarified in parliament, the government has only authorized non-kinetic activities of a technical and logistical nature,” he said, adding that Italy had rejected requests exceeding this scope.
Italian Minister of Defense Guido Crosetto. Image source: Visual China Group.
Crosetto expressed surprise at Rutte’s statements, noting that the NATO Chief had no connection to the military operations against Iran. By conflating approved support flights with combat operations, Rutte was spreading “highly misleading information,” according to the defense minister.
Italy hosts several air force and comprehensive military bases where US forces can operate under bilateral or NATO agreements. However, following the escalation of tensions between the US, Israel, and Iran in late February, Italy expressed “indignation” because the decision to strike was made without prior consultation with allies. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni later told the media, “Italy is not involved in the war, nor does it intend to join.” The Meloni government has consistently maintained that Italy will not participate in military actions against Iran, emphasizing that any deployment must align with Italian law and national interests.
