Middle East crisis: After Spain, Italy denies permission to US to use its bases for Iran operation
After Spain, now Italy has also refused permission to the US military to use a key air base in Sicily for operations in Iran.
Italy refused permission after learning about the flight plans of some US military aircraft, which were supposed to land at Sigonella before heading to West Asia, according to a report by La Repubblica. The plans were shared while the aircraft were already in the air, and checks showed these were not routine or support flights covered under Italy’s existing agreement with the US.
This decision came a day after Spain also denied the US the use of its airspace for flights linked to the conflict involving Iran.
The restrictions apply even to US aircraft based in other countries like the United Kingdom and France. The US had also considered sending strategic bombers like B-52 and B-1 to bases in southern Spain, but dropped the idea after Spain made it clear it would not support such operations without proper international legal approval.
Tensions in the Middle East have been rising since February 28, when the US and Israel launched a joint attack on Iran, which reportedly led to over 1,340 deaths, including Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei.
Meanwhile, Donald Trump is considering ending the US military campaign in Iran, even if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, according to The Wall Street Journal.
He has told his aides that he may scale down military operations within four to six weeks, regardless of whether the key shipping route reopens.
Such a move could leave Iran with greater control over the Strait of Hormuz, while shifting attention toward diplomatic efforts to reopen it. Trump believes the US has already met its main goals, such as weakening Iran’s naval and missile strength.
Officials say he feels the US can claim success by achieving its core military objectives without getting stuck in a long and complex mission to secure the waterway.
- With inputs from agencies
