Full Breakdown
Iranian Officials Threaten Israel and European Nations Over U.S. Use of Italian and Romanian Bases
6/26/2026, 5:22:04 AM
Iranian Threats to Israel and Europe
On Thursday, IRGC Quds Force commander Esmail Qaani posted on X that Israel must withdraw from Lebanon, describing the country as an arena of resistance rather than a playground for occupiers. Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi blamed Italy and Romania for enabling U.S. attacks on Iran, invoking General Assembly Resolution 3314 to label the provision of territory for aggression as an act of aggression.
Background & Context
The remarks follow a U.S.-led operation, termed “Epic Fury,” that has employed European airfields for sorties supporting Israel. Comments by the NATO Secretary General on the use of Italian and Romanian bases prompted Tehran’s accusations. Italy hosts roughly 120 U.S. facilities, but has repeatedly asserted that only technical and logistical, non-kinetic flights are permitted.
Key Figures & Groups
Esmail Qaani (IRGC Quds Force), Kazem Gharibabadi (Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister), Mark Rutte (NATO Secretary-General), Guido Crosetto (Italian Defense Minister), a NATO official, and Italian opposition leaders.
Official Statements & Responses
Guido Crosetto stressed that Italy authorized only technical and logistical, non-kinetic activities and denied any combat-related flights, describing Rutte’s description as a totally misleading message. A NATO spokesperson later clarified that Rutte had merely highlighted how allies, including Italy, operate under existing basing and overflight agreements.
Criticism & Opposition
Italian opposition leaders seized on Rutte’s claim that 500 U.S. planes took off from Italian bases for “Epic Fury,” demanding fresh explanations and questioning the transparency of Italy’s cooperation with U.S. operations.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Flight numbers: Rutte cited 500 U.S. planes supporting “Epic Fury,” while Italy maintains only technical, non-combat flights have occurred.
- Legal responsibility: Gharibabadi asserts Italy and Romania bear international responsibility for aggression; Italy refutes this, citing compliance with constitutional and treaty obligations.
- Verification: No independent source in the provided material confirms the exact nature or count of flights, leaving a factual gap.
Verbatim Quotes
- “You Zionists must leave all of Lebanon. This land is the arena of resistance and steadfastness, not a playground for occupiers,” — Esmail Qaani, IRGC Quds Force commander
- “The statements of the NATO Secretary General regarding the use by the United States of Italian and Romanian bases in an attack on Iran give rise to the international responsibility of these countries,” — Kazem Gharibabadi, Deputy Foreign Minister
- “highlighted how Allies, including Italy, carried out their existing bilateral agreements in the context of basing and overflights.” — NATO official
- “As already clarified in parliament, the government authorized exclusively technical and logistical, non-kinetic activities,” — Guido Crosetto, Italian Defense Minister
What’s Next
No resolution has been reported in the sources, indicating that the diplomatic dispute remains ongoing.
