Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani held a phone call with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on June 26, 2026, to clarify that Italy has never participated in any military initiative or authorized the use of its bases for war actions against Iran. Tajani also requested the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to allow passage of Italian cargo ships that remain blocked.
Italy's Reassurance to Iran
In a post on X, Tajani stated: 'I spoke with the Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi. Italy has never taken part in any military initiative and has never authorized the use of bases for war actions against Iran, in the strictest respect of the treaties with the United States. I requested a return to full opening of the Strait of Hormuz, facilitating the passage of all Italian cargo ships still blocked. The reopening of the Italian embassy in Tehran is a strong signal of dialogue, also in view of the resumption of economic and cultural relations.'
Defense Minister Provides Flight Data
Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto also addressed the issue, noting that the number of flights in transit at Sigonella and Aviano during the Epic Fury period was far lower than in previous years. He posted on X: 'For informational purposes, the number of flights in transit at Sigonella and Aviano during the Epic Fury period was far lower than the number of flights in transit in the years: 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019. These are the years on which I limited the verification, but I could go further back. They are official Defense data for which we can provide the precise figures.'
Iran's Accusations and UN Resolution
Kazem Gharibabadi, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs, warned that providing territory for a third state to carry out aggression constitutes an act of aggression under international law. He posted on X: 'The statements of the NATO Secretary General regarding the use by the United States of Italian and Romanian bases in an attack on Iran give rise to the international responsibility of these countries. According to General Assembly Resolution 3314, the provision of territory by a state for use by a third state to carry out aggression against another country is considered an act of aggression.'
Esmaeil Baqaei, spokesperson for Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that Italy and Romania were explicitly named by NATO's Secretary General as having participated in the aggression against Iran.
NATO Chief's Remarks Spark Backlash
The controversy began after NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte told Fox News that Rome allowed 500 U.S. military aircraft to take off from American bases in Italy during U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, as part of Operation Epic Fury. Rutte said: 'Country after country, ally after ally ... have made their bases available ... That means thousands, between 4,000 and 5,000 ... planes taking off from European bases to support Epic Fury.' This sparked a political backlash in Italy, according to Politico.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government had previously stated that only logistical and technical flights covered by the bilateral treaty governing U.S. military bases in Italy would be allowed to use its airbases for flights to the Middle East.
