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The Italy has reportedly denied the United States permission to use the Sigonella Air Base after American authorities failed to obtain prior authorization, according to Italian media reports.
Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto made the decision after Italian authorities were informed of a U.S. flight plan involving bombers intending to land at Sigonella before heading toward the Middle East. Reports indicated that Italian officials were notified only after the aircraft had already taken off, raising concerns over procedural violations.
Preliminary checks by Italian authorities concluded that the flights were neither routine nor logistical missions and therefore did not fall under existing bilateral agreements that allow U.S. forces to use military facilities in Italy. Such operations require prior political and military authorization.
Italy hosts several joint-use military bases under bilateral defense agreements and the NATO framework, with Sigonella serving as a strategic hub for operations in the Mediterranean region.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stated that routine U.S. operations remain permitted, but any non-routine military activity would require formal government and parliamentary approval. Similar restrictions have also been reported in Spain regarding military operations linked to Middle East tensions.