Italy Refuses Combat Role in Iran War as Europe Splits Over Trump’s Expanding Military Campaign
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said Thursday that Italy will not enter the war against Iran and has received no request from the United States to use American military bases on Italian territory for combat operations, signalling growing hesitation among European governments as the U.S.–Israel campaign against Tehran expands.
Speaking on an RTL radio programme, Meloni stressed that Italy intends to respect long-standing bilateral agreements governing U.S. bases in the country but clarified that these arrangements currently apply only to logistical and non-combat operations.
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| File Photo Via Giorgia Meloni |
The Italian leader explained that the agreements with Washington date back to 1954 and allow certain technical authorisations for logistics and other “non-kinetic operations” that do not involve bombing missions.
If the United States were to request the use of bases for direct military strikes against Iran, Meloni said the decision would require evaluation by the government together with the Italian parliament.
Her remarks highlight a widening divide across Western governments over the rapidly expanding conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran. While Washington continues its large-scale military campaign, several European leaders have expressed concern that the war could spiral into a broader regional confrontation with severe economic consequences.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez warned that the U.S.–Israeli strikes risk triggering a prolonged conflict that could push up global living costs and destabilise international markets. In a televised address, Sanchez urged all parties to respect international law and seek a diplomatic solution, cautioning that “massive wars often start because of a series of mistakes.”
Spain has emerged as one of the most vocal Western critics of the attacks on Iran and has refused to allow the United States to use jointly operated military bases on Spanish territory for offensive operations. The dispute intensified earlier this week when U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to cut off trade with Spain after Madrid rejected Washington’s request.
Spanish officials later reaffirmed that their position had not changed, insisting that any use of bases must comply with international law and existing agreements.
Across Europe, governments are also preparing defensive measures to protect their citizens and energy supplies as the war widens. Meloni said Italy, together with the United Kingdom, France and Germany, is considering defensive deployments to Gulf countries where thousands of European nationals and troops are stationed. The Gulf region, she noted, is also critical for energy flows to Europe.
The Italian prime minister warned that the conflict carries “a risk of escalation that could have unpredictable consequences” and said Rome was monitoring potential economic fallout, including spikes in gas and food prices. Authorities are also watching energy markets closely, she said, adding that companies exploiting the crisis to raise prices could face additional taxes.
The debate within Europe comes as the war continues to expand geographically, with airstrikes across Iran, missile exchanges with Israel and growing disruptions to shipping and aviation routes across the Middle East.