More key European allies are restricting U.S. military access as the Trump administration presses ahead with its war against Iran, with both France and Italy moving to block U.S.-linked aircraft from using their airspace or bases.
Italy denied permission for U.S. military aircraft to land at the Sigonella Air Base in Sicily before heading to the Middle East, Reuters reported Tuesday, saying Washington had not sought prior authorization from Rome.Â
France has also refused overflight for planes carrying U.S. military supplies to Israel, according to President , marking a rare disruption to routine military coordination between Washington and key European allies.
Their refusals carry operational weight because U.S. bases in Europe â including those in Italy â are “essential” for supporting Middle East operations, acting as critical staging and transit hubs for military aircraft.Â
The move marks the latest sign of growing friction between the United States and European allies as President ramps up pressure on NATO partners to support operations tied to the war with Iran.
John Hemmings, director of the National Security Centre at the Henry Jackson Society, a London-based foreign policy think tank, told Fox News Digital the decision reflects deeper tensions.
“The news that Italy has blocked U.S. overflight and base use for aircraft taking part in the conflict in Iran is the visible sign of a transatlantic crisis bubbling over,” Hemmings said. “U.S. political and military authority is at rock bottom in Europe. Italys defection is a worrying indicator since Italy currently has a right-leaning populist government, led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, a known Trump Whisperer, the only European leader to attend Trumps inauguration.”
An statement pushed back on reports of a rupture, saying: “With reference to media reports regarding the use of military bases, the government reiterates that Italy acts in full compliance with existing international agreements and with the policy guidelines set out by the government to parliament.”Â
“Relations with the United States, in particular, are solid and based on full and loyal cooperation,” the statement added.
Still, Italys decision follows a series of moves by European allies distancing themselves from U.S. military actions in Iran.
said it had closed its airspace to U.S. planes involved in strikes, going further than its earlier refusal to allow the use of jointly operated bases. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has been among the most vocal critics of the U.S. and Israeli campaign.
In remarks before parliament Tuesday, Spains defense minister said the government had “prohibited the use of the bases of Rota and Morón” and did not grant flight authorizations “to support operations in Iran.”
The minister stressed the decision was limited specifically to operations linked to Iran and did not signal a broader break with NATO or the United States.Â
“If one looks at Spains refusal to allow U.S. overflight over its airspace or U.S. bases,” Hemmings said, “one could argue its a U.S.-Spanish issue. The prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, a socialist, has no love lost for the MAGA movement. But Italys refusal comes after Polands refusal to allow a U.S. Patriot anti-missile battery to be redeployed and looks like the U.S. wheels are wobbling â if not coming off.”
Trump on Tuesday escalated his criticism of allies in a series of posts on Truth Social, singling out France, Spain, Italy and the United Kingdom, although the United Kingdom has continued to allow U.S. aircraft to operate from its territory, including bomber and refueling missions tied to Middle East operations.
“The wouldnt let planes headed to Israel, loaded up with military supplies, fly over French territory,” Trump wrote.
“France has been VERY UNHELPFUL
