Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has stated that Italy never took part in the military action against Iran, rejecting claims that the country was directly involved in the conflict.
Speaking after the 36th Italy-France Intergovernmental Summit, Meloni said Italy only fulfilled its obligations under existing international agreements regarding the use of military bases. She stressed that this should not be interpreted as Italy participating in military operations against Iran.
According to reports, Meloni also said that NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte had misunderstood the type of flight permissions granted by Italy. She added that Rutte later clarified his remarks, correcting the earlier statement.
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The issue gained attention after Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei shared a video of an interview in which Mark Rutte reportedly said that around 500 U.S. aircraft had taken off from an American military base in Italy during Operation Epic Fury.
Reacting to those comments, Baghaei claimed that the statement amounted to an admission that NATO had supported what Iran described as an illegal military campaign against a sovereign United Nations member state. He also argued that NATO and any member states involved should be held accountable.
Italy, however, has maintained that it did not participate in combat operations and only acted within the framework of its existing international commitments. The Italian government has emphasized that allowing the use of facilities under established agreements does not mean direct involvement in military action.
The differing statements from Italian and Iranian officials have highlighted ongoing diplomatic tensions following recent developments in the region. Observers say the issue may continue to be discussed as governments clarify their positions and assess the legal and political implications of military cooperation.
The latest remarks underscore the importance of clear communication between allies and the continuing sensitivity surrounding international military operations in the Middle East.
