Rome denies participation in any military action against Iran

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani held a phone conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, during which he stressed that Rome did not participate in any military initiatives and did not authorise the use of its bases for military operations against Iran.

“I spoke with the Iranian foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi. Italy has never taken part in any military initiatives and has never authorised the use of its bases for military actions against Iran, strictly complying with its treaties with the United States. 

I called for the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, facilitating the passage of all Italian cargo ships that are still blocked. The reopening of the Italian embassy in Tehran is a strong signal of dialogue, including ahead of the restoration of economic and cultural ties,” he wrote on X.

Ho parlato con il Ministro degli Esteri iraniano @araghchi. L’Italia non ha mai preso parte ad alcuna iniziativa militare e non ha mai autorizzato l’utilizzo delle basi per azioni di guerra contro l’Iran, nel rispetto più rigoroso dei trattati con gli Stati Uniti. Ho chiesto che… pic.twitter.com/9LC5ad7r9C

— Antonio Tajani (@Antonio_Tajani) June 25, 2026

In an interview with Fox News, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte cited Italy as an example of European support for US actions in Iran and said that hundreds of American aircraft operated from bases on Italian territory.

Italy’s Defence Ministry later rejected these claims, while NATO clarified that Rutte was referring to logistical and material support rather than direct operational involvement.

By Jeyhun Aghazada