Loading…
Iran accused NATO of 'active complicity' in the US-Israeli war after NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said hundreds of US planes launched from bases in Italy to support Operation Epic Fury. Source: CNA
Rutte told Fox News that 500 US planes took off from US bases in Italy and that Romania also provided airport facilities for tanker operations. He described these as part of broader European support, with 4,000–5,000 US flights from European bases. Source: euronewses
Italy's Defence Ministry immediately rejected Rutte's account, calling it a 'completely misleading message' that confused the type of flights authorised. It insisted that Italy only permitted technical and logistical flights—never 'kinetic' (offensive) operations—under existing bilateral treaties, and that any requests exceeding that perimeter were denied. Source: abces The ministry added that a simple check with Italian authorities would have clarified the situation. Source: elmundoes
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei called Rutte's comments a 'clear and damning admission' of NATO complicity in what Iran views as an unlawful war, demanding that Italy and other participating allies be held accountable. Source: infobae The Italian foreign minister later assured Iran that Italy 'never participated in any military initiative' nor authorised base use for belligerent actions against Iran. Source: infobae
“Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei condemned the NATO chief's admission of 'active complicity' in the 'unlawful war'.”
“'Italy never participated in any military initiative nor authorised the use of its bases for belligerent actions against Iran,' wrote Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani on X.”
“Rutte said: 'I perfectly understand the disappointment, but if we look at Italy as an example, 500 US planes have taken off from US bases in Italy to support the operation.'”
The opposition parties (PD and M5S) called for Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to clarify the situation, arguing that Rutte's remarks contradicted government assurances. Source: lavanguardia
“Italy's Defence Ministry said Rutte 'offers a reconstruction that transmits a completely misleading message, confusing the type of flights authorised'.”