Italy Says U.S. Has Not Sough Access to Its Bases for Iran Strike

(MENAFN) Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto told lawmakers Thursday that Washington has yet to seek access to American military bases on Italian soil for any offensive operation against Iran — but made clear that any such request would require parliamentary approval.

Speaking before the Lower House on the escalating situation in Iran and the broader Middle East, Crosetto also signaled that Rome must urgently review its military footprint across the region and stand ready to support allies under strain.

"We intend to deploy a multi-domain force in the Middle East, with anti-drone and anti-missile air-defense systems," Crosetto said.

"We will, together with Spain and France, provide assistance to Cyprus," he added.

Meanwhile, Italy's center-left opposition is pushing for a parliamentary vote later Thursday on a resolution that would legally bind the government against permitting U.S. forces to launch attacks on Iran from Italian territory.

Opposition blocs are also pressing the conservative administration of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni not to extend "any type of military support to a war that violates international law and which the international community must stop before it is too late."

Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani also took the floor Thursday, warning that 100,000 Italians are "directly or indirectly" caught up in the crisis zones.

"The safety of our fellow citizens is the absolute priority," Tajani said, noting that 10,000 nationals have already been helped to evacuate from high-risk areas.

Striking a diplomatic tone, Tajani emphasized that "the guiding principle of our commitment in the area remains de-escalation," as Rome pledges to preserve every open channel of communication with Tehran while holding firm on core red lines.

"Iran cannot acquire nuclear weapons and missile systems capable of posing an existential threat to Israel, the region, and Europe," Tajani warned.

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