Italy has refused permission for US military planes carrying weapons for the war in Iran to land at the Sigonella airbase in Sicily, citing a failure by the United States to follow proper authorisation procedures. A source at the Italian defence ministry confirmed that the US sought approval only while the aircraft were already en route, leaving insufficient time for parliamentary consent as required by international treaties.
Under agreements dating from the late 1950s, US naval bases in Italy may be used for logistical and training purposes but not as transit hubs for aircraft transporting weapons for war, except in emergencies. The denial follows a similar move by Spain, which closed its airspace to US aircraft involved in attacks on Iran.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's office issued a statement denying that the incident had caused 'critical issues or frictions' with international partners, asserting that relations with the US remain 'solid and based on full and loyal cooperation'. The statement emphasised that Italy was acting in full compliance with international agreements and parliamentary procedures, examining each request on a case-by-case basis.
Opposition parties have urged the government to block US use of Italian bases for the Middle East conflict. Giuseppe Conte, leader of the Five Star Movement, said Italy had 'a duty' to deny access and must now withdraw logistical support from all bases, as the US-Israeli campaign in Iran violates international law. Meloni herself has criticised the strikes as part of a dangerous trend of interventions outside international law, while also warning against a nuclear-armed Iran.
Local anger has been growing over increased activity at Sigonella, particularly after the US navy shared a photo of a helicopter landing in a Unesco-listed natural park in Sicily. Nuccio Di Paola, a Five Star politician in Sicily, stated: 'Sicily does not want and will not contribute to any war. Sicily is a land of peace and must remain so.'
