Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Friday escalated her criticism of NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, accusing him of presenting a "confused and misleading" description of Italy's support for the US during the Iran campaign. Meloni insisted Italy did not participate in combat and that its bases were used for logistics only, after Rutte said 500 US aircraft took off from Italian bases during the war.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Friday escalated her public clash with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, accusing him of a "confused and misleading" description of Italy's role during the US-led campaign against Iran. The remarks, reported by Israeli media commentator Asaf Rozentzweig (N12), follow a week of intensifying transatlantic friction over the same issue.
Rutte told Fox News on Wednesday that 500 US military aircraft had launched from American bases in Italy to support Operation "Epic Fury" — a figure that triggered a political storm in Rome. Meloni's office and Defense Minister Guido Crosetto previously denied that Italy authorized combat missions, insisting that only technical and logistical flights were approved.
Meloni's latest statement sharpens the tone further, calling Rutte's account deliberately inaccurate and stressing that Italy "did not participate in the fighting." The dispute has become a domestic political issue in Italy, where the government faces pressure from both coalition allies and opposition parties over the extent of its cooperation with Washington.
The clash follows earlier tensions: US President Donald Trump last Saturday accused Meloni of "begging" for a photo at the G7 summit and claimed Italy refused landing rights for US military aircraft — a charge that Italy denied and that Rutte's remarks appeared to rebut.
2 developments
- DevelopingItaly rebukes NATO chief Rutte, says only non-combat flights were approved
- DevelopingTrump says Meloni begged for G7 photo, slams Italy's refusal to aid Iran military action
- StrongNATO chief Rutte: 500 US aircraft launched from Italian bases to back 'Epic Fury' operation
- DevelopingMeloni launches sharp personal attack on Trump amid escalating feud
Source and signal
- Internal intake