Three P-3C Orion aircraft stand ready on a rain-soaked airfield at Naval Air Station Sigonella in Sicily on January 15, 2006. Italy said it denied U.S. aircraft seeking to make a landing at the air base en route to the Middle East. File Photo by Mate 1st Class John Collins/U.S. Navy
March 31 (UPI) — The Italian government said Tuesday that U.S. military aircraft can’t land at the Sigonella air base in Sicily en route to missions in the Middle East.
U.S. bombers sought to land at the base last week, but had not notified Italian officials of the plans, Italian news outlet Corriere della Sera reported. Italy refused to allow the aircraft to land there, Politico reported.
Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said the flights were outside normal, logistical operations. The United States and Italy have a defense agreement that requires Italy’s parliament to approve U.S. use of bases for such missions, The Hill reported.
He added that reports suggesting that Italy closed all U.S. access to Italian bases was “simply false.”
A statement from the office of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni confirmed the news.
“With reference to press reports regarding the use of military bases, it is reiterated that Italy acts in full compliance with existing international agreements and with the policy guidelines expressed by the government to parliament,” the statement said.
“Each request is carefully examined, case by case, as has always been the case in the past. There have been no critical issues or friction with international partners. Relation with the United States, in particular, are solid and based on full and loyal cooperation.”
On Monday, Spain announced it had closed its airspace to U.S. military aircraft cariyingout attacks on Iran.
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