Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte's claim that 500 U.S. aircraft took off from Italian bases for combat operations is misleading, insisting Rome authorized only technical and logistical flights. The statement sharpens a dispute with the U.S. and NATO over Italy's level of support during the Iran campaign.
Italy pushed back sharply against NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Wednesday, with Defense Minister Guido Crosetto accusing him of misrepresenting Rome's role in the U.S.-led campaign against Iran.
Rutte told Fox News earlier Wednesday that 500 U.S. military aircraft launched from American bases in Italy to support Operation "Epic Fury," a claim that appeared to contradict President Trump's assertion that Italy denied landing rights for American planes during the operation. Crosetto stated that Italy had insisted — and maintains — that it approved only technical and logistical flights, not combat missions.
The exchange is the latest in a week of transatlantic friction. As The Zioneer reported, Trump on Saturday accused Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni of begging for a G7 photo and refusing landing rights for U.S. military aircraft. Meloni rejected the remarks as "absolute fiction." A subsequent Zioneer bulletin noted that Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani canceled a U.S. visit, calling Trump's words "grave and offensive to all of Italy."
Rutte had separately acknowledged earlier this week that some NATO members disappointed the U.S. on access, but called the cases isolated. Crosetto's statement suggests Italy is actively resisting the narrative that it was part of the combat air campaign, while accepting a support role.
- StrongNATO chief Rutte: 500 US aircraft launched from Italian bases to back 'Epic Fury' operation
- DevelopingNATO chief acknowledges allied disappointment over US access during Iran war
- DevelopingTrump says Meloni begged for G7 photo, slams Italy's refusal to aid Iran military action
- DevelopingHegseth presses European NATO allies to end 'free riding' on US military
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