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500 US Aircraft Depart Italy, Meloni Rejects Combat Participation

6/25/2026

Summary

Story summary

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said 500 U.S. aircraft took off from Italian bases for Iran operation.
Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said Italy’s authorisations complied with the constitution, allowed technical non-kinetic flights and rejected combat requests, prompting opposition leaders Giuseppe Conte and Nicola Fratoianni to demand a parliamentary explanation.
Tensions rose between Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and President Donald Trump after a dispute over Italy’s refusal to join the U.S. campaign.

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Story summary

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said 500 U.S. aircraft took off from Italian bases for Iran operation.
Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said Italy’s authorisations complied with the constitution, allowed technical non-kinetic flights and rejected combat requests, prompting opposition leaders Giuseppe Conte and Nicola Fratoianni to demand a parliamentary explanation.
Tensions rose between Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and President Donald Trump after a dispute over Italy’s refusal to join the U.S. campaign.