Italy denies US aircraft use of Sigonella airbase for weapons transport

The Italian government has denied the United States permission to use the Sigonella airbase in Sicily for the transport of weapons intended for the Middle East conflict. According to sources within the Italian Defence Ministry, the request to land US bombers was rejected because it failed to follow required legal procedures and treaty obligations. Specifically, the US did not seek the necessary authorization from the Italian parliament, which is mandatory for the transit of military weapons through the installation. While Sigonella is a key NATO and US naval hub, its usage is strictly limited to logistical and training purposes unless emergency provisions are invoked. Italian left-wing opposition parties have pressured Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s administration to explicitly block the use of Italian bases for the ongoing conflict. Meanwhile, activists and various civil groups have organized protests at the site, citing concerns over recent actions involving Iran. The Italian government has reiterated that any such requests in the future will be subject to parliamentary approval. No specific timeline for the denied flights was provided, and the Italian Defence Ministry has declined to comment further on the number of aircraft involved.