Italy Refuses US Bombers Access to Sigonella Air Base in Sicily
Italy has risked provoking the wrath of former US President Donald Trump after American bombers were denied access to the Sigonella air base in Sicily last week. The decision was reportedly made by Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto when he learned that some US warplanes intended to land at the base without prior consultation with Italian authorities.
Under treaties governing the use of US military installations in Italy, permission must be granted by Rome's military leadership. However, the plan to temporarily land the aircraft in Sicily before their departure for the Middle East was only communicated to the relevant authorities once the bombers were already in flight.
Crosetto's Firm Stance on Military Action
"Italy is certainly not considering going to war with Iran," Crosetto emphatically stated earlier in March. He continued: "I don't think there will ever be Italian soldiers or planes capable of bombing Iran; this seems clear and obvious to me," before adding: "Not only is it constitutionally impossible, but there isn't even the will."
Crosetto clarified that Washington would only be able to use Italian bases "after explaining what it intends to use them for and only after authorisation from the Italian government." After initial checks established that the American flights were not "normal or logistical" operations, it was determined they would be denied access.
European Backlash Against US-Israeli Operations
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is part of a growing European backlash against the US and Israeli military actions against Tehran, which began on February 28. The right-wing leader condemned the joint military operation as "outside the scope of international law," while also acknowledging the threat the Islamic Republic poses to regional security.
Her shift in tone was striking from a politician who has built a reputation as one of Europe's most reliable US allies. While centre-left opposition parties have urged the government to block US use of bases in Italy to avoid involvement in the conflict, Meloni's government has said it would seek parliamentary authorisation should any such requests be made.
Spanish Prime Minister's Grave Warning
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez warned last Wednesday that the Middle East war presented a "far worse" scenario than the invasion of Iraq in 2003. "This is not the same scenario as the illegal war in Iraq. We are facing something far worse. Much worse. With a potential impact that is far broader and far deeper," he told parliament.
"This time, it's an absurd and illegal war. A cruel one that sets us back from achieving our economic, social, and environmental goals." The Socialist premier has refused Washington's requests to use Madrid's military bases against Iran, despite Trump's threat to sever trade with Spain as a result.
Sanchez said the US invasion of Iraq in 2003 had failed to achieve its goals and instead made life worse for ordinary people, noting it led to sharp increases in fuel and grocery prices, a migration crisis, and jihadist attacks in Europe. He warned that attacks on Iran could have similar economic impacts for millions, stating: "Every bomb that falls in the Middle East eventually hits - as we are already seeing - the wallets of our families."
EU Energy Concerns and Market Disruption
European Union governments should prepare for a "prolonged disruption" to energy markets as a result of the Iran conflict, the bloc's energy chief has told ministers ahead of an emergency meeting. In a letter dated March 30, EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jorgensen said governments were "encouraged to make timely preparations in anticipation of a potentially prolonged disruption."
Europe's heavy reliance on imported fuel means the continent is very exposed to the Middle East conflict's impact on global energy prices. European gas prices have jumped more than 70 percent since the US-Israeli war on Iran began.
The bloc's supplies of crude oil and natural gas have not been hit directly by the closure of the key shipping route the Strait of Hormuz, since Europe imports most energy sources from suppliers outside the Middle East. However, Jorgensen expressed particular concern in the short term about Europe's supply of refined petroleum products such as jet fuel and diesel.
Governments should avoid taking measures that would increase fuel consumption, limit trade of petroleum products, or disincentivise output at European refineries handling these products, the letter stated. "Member States are encouraged to defer any non-emergency refinery maintenance," it added.
US Military Strikes and Trump's Social Media Post
Donald Trump posted video of a US strike in the Iranian city of Isfahan to his Truth Social page, showing 2,000lb bombs that set off a series of explosions in the night sky. The US unleashed devastating air strikes on an ammunition depot believed to house Iran's enriched uranium, while a massive oil tanker was struck by an Iranian drone near the Strait of Hormuz.
The president did not provide any information about the enormous explosion with the video on his social media post. An American official confirmed to The Wall Street Journal that the video showed the bunker buster strikes on Isfahan.
The US strikes came after reports that Trump was considering a military operation to send special operations forces deep inside Iran to seize its stockpile of enriched uranium at sites including Isfahan. Fire-tracking satellites from NASA suggest the explosions happened near Mount Soffeh, an area believed to contain military positions.
The videos show massive fireballs and secondary explosions, common with ammunition, igniting in a blaze. Iran has not formally acknowledged the attack. Isfahan is home to one of three uranium enrichment sites bombed by the US during the 12-day war between Iran and Israel in June last year.
The incident at Sigonella air base is said to have occurred "a few nights" ago but was only reported on Tuesday. The Italian defence ministry had no immediate comment on the matter.
