ROME: Italy has denied the United States permission to use a key airbase in Sicily for military aircraft carrying weapons to the Middle East, citing a failure to follow required authorisation procedures, government sources said.
A source at the Italian defence ministry confirmed a report in Corriere della Sera that “some US bombers” had been due to land at Sigonella – one of seven US navy bases in Italy – before heading to the Middle East, but that use of the base had been denied because the US sought authorisation to land only while the aircraft were already en route to Sicily, The Guardian reported.
Sources cited by Reuters said Italy denied permission last week because Washington had not sought prior authorisation from the government in Rome.
Under agreements dating back to the late 1950s, US bases in Italy can be used for logistical and training purposes, but not as transit hubs for transporting weapons for active conflicts unless in emergency situations.
Italian law also requires parliamentary approval for aircraft carrying weapons to land at naval bases, a process that could not be completed in time, Corriere della Sera reported.
Italy says ties with US remain strong
The office of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni denied that the decision had caused tensions with Washington.
In a statement on Tuesday, it said relations with the United States remained “solid and based on full and loyal cooperation”.
Italy was “acting in full compliance with existing international agreements” and examining each request “on a case-by-case basis”, the statement added.
The move came a day after Spain closed its airspace to US aircraft involved in attacks on Iran, signalling growing unease among some European allies over the conflict.
US relations with European allies
The development underscores widening divisions between Washington and its European partners over the war.
US President Donald Trump on Tuesday criticised France for refusing to allow military supply flights to Israel to cross its airspace, calling the country “VERY UNHELPFUL” in a post on Truth Social.
He also targeted the United Kingdom, urging allies struggling with fuel shortages due to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz to “go get your own oil”.
“All of those countries that can’t get jet fuel because of the Strait of Hormuz, like the United Kingdom, which refused to get involved in the decapitation of Iran, I have a suggestion for you…” – President Donald J. Trump pic.twitter.com/aPYmL0qspa
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) March 31, 2026
