ATTACK ON IRAN: EYES ON US BASES IN ITALY, DEMOCRATIC PARTY DEMANDS "GOVERNMENT NOT BE COMPLICIT"
"Italy must not participate in the war nor allow its territory to be used to attack Iran." This is the clear message from Elly Schlein, secretary of the Democratic Party, who intervened forcefully following the surge in tensions between the United States and Iran. "Trump," she added, "said he would bring peace, but instead he drops bombs, dragged by Netanyahu, without even going through the American Congress. It is a dangerous escalation that can ignite the world. Immediate diplomatic de-escalation is needed, not a race towards conflict."
US Bases in Italy: How Many and Where They Are
The debate about Italy's potential involvement in the conflict inevitably revolves around the presence of numerous U.S. bases on Italian territory. Currently, approximately 12,000 American military personnel are stationed in about twenty installations across the Peninsula, hosted under NATO cooperation agreements.
Key facilities include:
- Aviano (Friuli Venezia Giulia), home to the 31st Fighter Wing of the U.S. Air Force.
- Vicenza, where Ederle Barracks is located, the operational heart of U.S. ground forces in Europe.
- Camp Darby, between Pisa and Livorno, an important logistics hub for storing weapons and ammunition.
- Ghedi and Solbiate Olona in Lombardy, bases supporting air operations.
- Sigonella, in Sicily, a crucial naval air hub for the Sixth Fleet and Mediterranean patrolling.
- Gaeta, a support port for the U.S. Navy.
- Naples, headquarters of NATO's Joint Force Command.
- La Spezia, NATO's research center on submarine warfare.
These bases do not have an autonomous offensive function but represent strategic logistical and operational hubs, which in case of conflict can provide support in terms of supplies, surveillance, command, and communications. Notably, the bases were placed on maximum alert after the American attack, and all security measures have been strengthened.
No Automatic Green Light: Rules Governing the Use of US Bases in Italy
Regarding the potential use of these bases in a military operation against Iran, Italian regulations are clear: the United States can use them only with prior government authorization. Defence Minister Guido Crosetto reiterated this, citing bilateral agreements signed in 1951 and reaffirmed by the so-called "Shell Agreement" of 1995.
"We have not received any request from the American side for 'extraordinary' uses of the bases," Crosetto clarified. "Every operation different from normal activity must be communicated and evaluated. Speaking today of parliamentary involvement is premature, but when the Chamber calls for a report, it is an obligation to be there."
Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani also confirmed that no activations or planning involving Italian bases have been reported so far. In any case, he stressed, "every action will be evaluated in light of our rules and international law," adding that the American attacks against Iran "did not originate from Italy."
Drone Precedent: No Takeoff from Sigonella
In recent days, some journalistic reports suggested a possible takeoff from Sigonella of an MQ-9 Reaper drone that might have been used in a targeted attack against Iranian objectives. However, technical sources strongly denied this, stating that the operation originated from American bases in the Persian Gulf, most likely from Al-Udeid in Qatar, outside the operational range of Italian installations.
Italy Between Diplomacy and Deterrence
Meanwhile, the debate intertwines with that on military spending. NATO's request to increase defense investments to 2% of GDP divides parties and allies. The Five Star Movement (M5S) and Avs have protested in the streets against rearmament, while Azione is open to the idea if funds are allocated to technologies, satellites, and digital security.
Crosetto himself launched a reflection on the future of the Atlantic Alliance: "NATO must evolve. If it truly wants to guarantee global security, it must also speak with the Global South. Otherwise, we will never achieve a stable balance. NATO, as it is today, risks losing its function."
In the meantime, anticipation grows for the Atlantic Alliance summit scheduled for The Hague on June 24 and 25. The future of American bases in Italy—and Italy's role in a world of cascading crises—is anything but a secondary issue.
