A significant U.S. ally, Italy, has refused permission for American warplanes to land on its territory as tensions escalate following strikes against Iran. This action makes Italy the second NATO member in two days to decline support for the Trump administration's military efforts targeting the Middle East.

Allied Resistance to Operation Epic Fury

The United States and Israel initiated strikes against Iran on February 28 under the operation codenamed Operation Epic Fury. This operation has increasingly placed European partners in a difficult diplomatic and military position as regional conflict spreads.

The Sigonella Incident

The refusal involved U.S. bombers that were reportedly scheduled to land at the Sigonella base in eastern Sicily before proceeding to their Middle East destinations. This information was confirmed on Tuesday by an unnamed source close to the matter.

Sigonella is a critical strategic location in the Mediterranean, hosting both the Italian Air Force and the U.S. Navy. The situation became complex because the U.S. filed the flight plan only after the aircraft were airborne, bypassing established protocols.

Treaties governing U.S. military use of Italian installations require prior authorization and notification to Italian military leadership. The last-minute filing reportedly moved the request outside the scope of existing bilateral agreements, triggering a need for formal sign-off from Rome, which includes parliamentary review, according to Bloomberg.

Spain Sets Precedent for Refusal

Italy’s decision closely follows Spain’s announcement on Monday. Spain explicitly closed its airspace and its bases at Morón and Rota to all U.S. operations linked to the campaign against Iran.

Spanish Defence Minister Margarita Robles stated clearly, “We will not authorize the use of Morón and Rota for any acts related to the war in Iran.” She noted that Spain had already informed the U.S. of this decision.

Political Ramifications and Domestic Pressure

This allied resistance has drawn sharp criticism from Washington. Secretary of State Marco Rubio labeled Spain’s position as “very disappointing.” He warned that the administration would reassess NATO’s value once the current fighting concludes, a warning that now applies to Italy’s recent move.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, generally viewed as a reliable right-wing populist ally of Donald Trump, faces domestic pressure. While she has a positive personal rapport with Trump, she indicated her government would consult parliament before approving any request to use Italian bases for strikes against Iran.

Furthermore, Italy’s center-left opposition has advocated for complete non-involvement in the escalating conflict.