Italy has officially denied permission for United States military aircraft, which were en route to the Middle East, to land at the Sigonella air base located on the island of Sicily. This decision directly relates to the ongoing military actions against Iran, according to reports from Italian media outlets.

Growing European Distance from Conflict

The U.S.-Israeli strikes against Iran, which began over four weeks ago, have created a noticeable rift between the U.S. and several European allies. Many European nations have actively sought to distance themselves from the conflict that commenced suddenly on February 28.

Spain Also Blocks U.S. Operations

Spain confirmed on Monday that it had also blocked U.S. aircraft associated with the war from entering its airspace. Weeks prior, Spain had already prohibited American aircraft from utilizing two key bases for strikes targeting Iran, labeling the U.S. operations as illegal.

Spanish left-wing Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez reinforced his government's stance, accusing the White House of playing "Russian roulette with the destiny of millions." Earlier in March, Spanish officials stated that U.S. jets and refueling planes could not use the jointly-operated Rota and Morón bases near Cádiz and Seville for attacks on Iran.

Italian Authorization Refused

Local media indicated that the flight plans submitted for the American bombers heading to Italian territory arrived while the aircraft were already in transit. These plans had not received prior authorization from the Italian military.

Italian Defense Minister, Guido Crosetto, reportedly refused the necessary authorization for the American bombers, as detailed in national media reports. This refusal comes as Italy seeks to maintain a non-involved posture in the hostilities.

Meloni's Stance on International Law

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, a right-wing leader typically aligned with President Donald Trump, has publicly criticized the war with Iran. She has insisted that the European nation is not participating in the conflict, describing the actions as "outside the scope of international law."

Existing long-standing agreements permit the U.S. military to use Italian bases for logistical support and operations, provided those activities do not involve attacks on Iran. The Defense Ministry has been approached for official comment on the matter.

Notably, Minister Crosetto himself was stranded in the Middle East when the conflict began. He reported being evacuated from Dubai, an Emirati hub, via military aircraft on March 1, following a trip to the region for a family vacation.

(Update 3/31/2026 at 6 a.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.)