A recent statement by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte regarding US aircraft operations from Italian bases has led to a public disagreement between Italy and the United States, creating friction in their bilateral relations. Rutte initially stated that approximately 500 U.S. aircraft had operated from American bases in Italy in support of "Operation Epic Fury," a U.S.-Israeli campaign targeting Iran, with thousands of flights across Europe from allied bases.
Italy's defense ministry characterized Rutte's account as "fallacious" and "totally misleading," asserting that Rome had only authorized technical and logistical flights and had rejected any requests for combat operations. A subsequent clarification from a NATO spokesperson indicated that Rutte's intention was to highlight how allies, including Italy, had upheld existing bilateral basing agreements.
The exchange has fueled a political debate within Italy, particularly concerning Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government, which has consistently maintained that Italian territory was not authorized for direct military action against Iran. This situation arises for Meloni amidst a challenging period, following a recent constitutional referendum defeat and with an election looming.
Analysts suggest this incident may complicate Meloni's efforts to navigate the international political landscape and could impact her relationship with French President Emmanuel Macron. The fallout also raises questions about her personal relationship with former President Donald Trump, which has reportedly soured. "This might be a tough situation to turn around," commented Gianni Riotta, author and vice chairman of the Council for the United States and Italy. "Meloni's ability to build a bridge now looks like a mere illusion, she couldn't stand between Europe and the US."
Riotta further explained that Meloni's attempts to balance differing stances on issues like Ukraine and tariffs may have contributed to the strain. "Trump has had a friend-or-foe outlook since his property days in New York, you're either with me or against me, and once that understanding broke down, he pushed harder, and Meloni played up her tough-woman image."
Despite the tensions, diplomatic circles in Rome have expressed a desire to avoid a complete rupture. Initial reports indicated that some government ministers were considering boycotting the U.S. Embassy's Independence Day reception in solidarity with Meloni, who was not expected to attend. However, this sentiment appears to have softened, with Foreign Minister Tajani stating he would attend "with my head held high," and allies of the prime minister suggesting that individual decisions on attendance are now being respected.
The relationship between Meloni and Trump, once characterized by their perceived closeness, has reportedly deteriorated from public disagreements to personal insults. The upcoming NATO summit in Ankara next month is anticipated to be a significant event, marking the first time Meloni and Trump will be in the same room since the G7 summit, where their dynamic will be closely watched.