Italy has denied the United States (US) permission to use its Sigonella air base in Sicily for military flights after the flight plan was submitted only after departure, without prior approval.
According to reports, Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto stated that Air Force General Staff had been notified of the flight plan of several US aircraft, which called for landing at Sigonella before continuing the mission.
He argued that the missions were outside the scope of standard logistical or routine operations and of bilateral agreements.
In addition, Guido Crosetto noted that such missions require separate authorization and possible parliamentary oversight before they can proceed.
He further highlighted that the flight plan had been submitted without authorization or consultation with the Italian military leadership, and while the planes were already in flight.
Italy Closes Airspace to US Military Hours After Spain
This move comes hours after Spain closed its airspace at Rota and Morón [de la Frontera] to planes involved in the US-Israel war on Iran.
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According to Foreign Affairs Minister José Manuel Albares, the aim of the decision was to “not do anything that could encourage an escalation in this war”.
“We have denied the US the use of the bases at Rota and Morón [de la Frontera] in this illegal war. All flight plans related to the war in Iran have been rejected, including refuelling flights.”
The closure will force military planes, including those based in the UK and in Europe, to bypass Spain en route to targets in the Middle East except in emergencies.
He also announced that “all flight plans that involved actions related to the operation in Iran were rejected – every single one of them, including those of refuelling aircraft.”
Trump Threatens Spain After Refusal of Airspace
President Donald Trump previously threatened to end trade with Spain, citing a lack of support for the U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran and the European nation’s resistance to increasing its NATO spending.
“We’re going to cut off all trade with Spain,” Trump told reporters during an Oval Office meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. “We don’t want anything to do with Spain.”
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Earlier, Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares said his country would not allow the Trump to use jointly operated bases in southern Spain for any strikes not covered by the United Nations Charter.
Albares noted that the military bases in Spain were not used in the weekend attack on Iran.
Trump noted that, despite Spain’s refusal, the United States could use its base if it wanted to, and nobody could control them.
