Iran Slams NATO Chief Mark Rutte Over Claims U.S. Aircraft Flew From Italy Bases

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said that “500 U.S. military aircraft” took off from American bases in Italy during the U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran, and he added that “between 4,000 and 5,000 … planes” flew from European bases to support Epic Fury.

“Rome rejects NATO chief's remarks on Italian support for US attacks in Iran Rutte says 500 planes took off from US bases in Italy, while Rome says only logistical support authorized Melike Pala 24 June 2026•Update: 24 June 2026 BRUSSELS Italy on Wednesday rejected remarks by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte suggesting Italian support for US military attacks on Iran, insisting that only non-kinetic logistical activities were authorized under existing agreements”

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Italy rejected the implication that its territory was used for attacks, with Italian Defense Ministry officials saying only “technical and logistical, non-kinetic” flights were authorized under existing agreements.

Anadolu Ajansı

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani told Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi that “Italy has never taken part in any military initiative and has never authorized the use of its bases for acts of war against Iran,” while insisting Rome acted “in the strictest compliance with the treaties with the United States.”

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said NATO must be held to account for “its complicity in US and Israeli actions against Iran,” after Rutte’s remarks became a diplomatic flashpoint between Tehran and Rome.

Italian defense officials disputed Rutte’s account, with a statement saying it was “completely misleading” to blur authorized flights with combat activity, and it added that “Only technical and logistical, non-kinetic activities were authorized.”

NATO later sought to calm the row, with spokesperson Allison Hart saying Rutte was referring to logistical or technical support, stating that “The secretary general highlighted how allies, including Italy, carried out their existing bilateral agreements.”

Brussels Signal

In a phone call described by Dawn, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani “firmly rejected” the NATO claim and stressed that “no Italian military base had been used in any attack on Iran.”

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi welcomed Tajani’s clarification but insisted the issue required an explicit denial, while Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Kazem Gharibabadi warned that the remarks could have “serious legal consequences.”

Beyond the Italy dispute, the Strait of Hormuz remained central to the wider Iran-related crisis, with the Persian Gulf Strait Authority warning that “Any passage through routes outside the framework designated by PGSA will not be covered by safe passage guarantees.”

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The same report said the authority’s warning extended to insurance and liability, adding that vessels using unauthorized routes “will not be entitled to insurance coverage or related liabilities.”

Shipping and energy markets also reacted to incidents near the waterway, as Reuters reported oil prices “edge up about 2 per cent” after a cargo vessel was hit by an “unknown projectile” near Oman.

The International Maritime Organization temporarily suspended an operation to evacuate thousands of seafarers from the Strait of Hormuz, with IMO Secretary General Arsenio Dominguez saying he paused it “to reconfirm that the necessary safety guarantees continue to be in place.”