Italy Will Not Join War but Will Honor US Base Agreements: Meloni
Italy Receives No Request for Military Action Against Iran
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on Thursday that Italy has not received any request from the United States to use American military bases in Italy for attacks against Iran.
Speaking on the RTL radio program, Meloni emphasized that Italy is not involved in the conflict and does not intend to enter the war.
“Currently we have no such request, and I want to make it clear that we are not at war and we do not want to enter a war,” she said.
Existing Agreements Allow Limited Use of US Bases
However, the prime minister confirmed that Italy will continue to respect long-standing bilateral agreements with the United States. These agreements, first signed in 1954, regulate the use of American military bases located on Italian territory.
According to Meloni, the agreements allow logistical support and certain non-combat activities. These operations include technical and logistical tasks rather than direct military actions such as bombing.
She explained that these are mainly “non-kinetic operations,” which involve support functions instead of combat missions.
Parliament Would Review Any Combat Request
Meloni added that the situation would change if Washington asked to use Italian bases for direct military operations.
In that case, the Italian government would review the request together with parliament before making any decision.
Concerns Over Rising Regional Tensions
Meanwhile, Meloni expressed concern about the growing tensions in the region. She warned that further escalation could create unpredictable consequences for many countries, including Italy.
“The situation carries a real risk of escalation,” she said, adding that Iran’s response could intensify the conflict.
Europe Considering Defensive Support in the Gulf
At the same time, Italy, along with the United Kingdom, France and Germany, is discussing plans to send defensive support to countries in the Gulf region.
The prime minister said the move would help protect thousands of Italian citizens living in the region as well as nearly 2,000 Italian troops currently stationed there.
She also noted that the Gulf region plays a crucial role in global energy supplies, which makes stability there important for Italy and other European economies.
Government Monitoring Energy and Food Prices
Meloni also warned that the crisis could create economic pressure, particularly in energy and food markets.
To prevent speculation, the government has begun monitoring gas prices closely. She added that companies that try to exploit the crisis by raising prices unfairly could face higher taxes.
Escalating Conflict Between US Israel and Iran
The conflict has intensified since the United States and Israel launched large-scale attacks on Iran on Saturday.
The strikes have killed 926 people, including Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei and several senior military commanders.
In response, Tehran has launched drone and missile attacks targeting Israel as well as Gulf countries hosting American military assets.
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