Italy rejects NATO chief's statements about 500 US planes

Italy rejects Rutte's statements about the use of bases in the operation against Iran.

Italy has rejected statements by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte regarding the use of US military bases on Italian territory during a joint US-Israeli operation against Iran.

According to Rutte, around 500 American aircraft have been deployed from US bases in Italy to support Operation Epic Fury.

This statement was made during an interview with Fox News, where he described the development as "very big."

However, authorities in Rome have rejected this version of events. The Italian government insists it has only authorized flights of a technical and logistical nature, denying that combat missions have been permitted from its territory.

Italy's Defense Minister, Guido Crosetto, described Rutte's statements as incorrect and stressed that Italy has rejected any request that goes beyond non-combat support.

The debate comes at a time of high international tensions, as the role of military infrastructure in Europe continues to come under increased scrutiny. /Telegraph/