Meloni criticizes NATO chief Rutte over Italy's role in Iran campaign

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni pushed back against NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte's characterization of Italy's involvement in U.S. military operations targeting Iran. Meloni stated that Rutte's enthusiastic report overly simplified Italy's role, conflating different issues and the nature of approved flights.

Meloni clarified that Rome provided only technical and logistical aid, not direct participation in combat. This statement followed Rutte's remarks in a Fox News interview, where he mentioned 500 U.S. military aircraft departing from Italian bases to support "Operation Epic Fury," Washington's campaign against Iran. The Italian Ministry of Defense had previously countered that only "technical and logistical" activities were authorized.

Speaking at a press conference in Antibes, France, Meloni reiterated Italy's stance. She suggested that if Italy had been involved in the conflict, it would be difficult to understand the "disappointment" frequently expressed by U.S. President Donald Trump regarding European allies' support. Rutte's meeting with Trump at the White House preceded the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, as Rutte aimed to smooth relations with the U.S. administration.

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If we had participated in the conflict in Iran, then - with all due respect - it would be difficult to understand the disappointment that the American president constantly expresses.