More key European allies are restricting US military access as the Trump administration continues its war against Iran, with both France and Italy moving to block US-affiliated aircraft from using their airspace or bases.
Italy has denied permission for US military planes to land at Sigonella air base in Sicily before heading to the Middle East, Reuters reported on Tuesday, saying Washington had not sought prior permission from Rome.
France has also denied overflights to planes carrying US military supplies to Israel, according to President Donald Trump, marking a rare disruption in routine military coordination between Washington and key European allies.
Their denials carry operational weight because U.S. bases in Europe – including those in Italy – are “essential” to supporting operations in the Middle East, serving as critical and transit hubs for military aircraft.
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The move marks the latest sign of rising friction between the United States and European allies as President Donald Trump steps up pressure on NATO partners to support operations related to the war with Iran.
“The news that Italy has blocked American overflights and the use of bases for aircraft participating in the conflict in Iran is the visible sign of a transatlantic crisis that is bubbling,” Hemmings said. “US political and military authority is at a low point in Europe. Italy’s defection is a worrying indicator as Italy currently has a right-wing populist government led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, a known ‘Trump Whisperer’, the only European leader to attend Trump’s inauguration.”
President Donald Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni shake hands as they pose for a photo. (Suzanne Plunkett/Pool/Reuters)
An Italian government statement pushed back on reports of a rift, saying: “Referring to media reports on the use of military bases, the government reiterates that Italy is acting in full compliance with existing international agreements and with the policy guidelines set out by the government to parliament.”
“Relations with the United States in particular are solid and based on full and sincere cooperation,” the statement said.
Still, Italy’s decision follows a series of steps by European allies distancing themselves from US military actions in Iran.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. (Darko Bandic/The Associated Press)
Spain said on Monday it had closed its airspace to US aircraft involved in attacks, going beyond its previous refusal to allow the use of jointly operated bases. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is among the most outspoken critics of the American and Israeli campaigns.
In a speech to parliament, Spain’s defense minister said on Tuesday that the government had “banned the use of the Rota and Morón bases” and had not granted flight permits “in support of operations in Iran”.
The minister emphasized that the decision was specifically limited to operations related to Iran and did not represent a broader break with NATO or the United States.
“If you look at Spain’s refusal to allow U.S. flights over its airspace or U.S. bases,” Hemmings said, “you could argue that it is a U.S.-Spanish issue. The prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, a socialist, has no love lost for the MAGA movement. But Italy’s refusal comes after Poland’s refusal to allow a U.S. Patriot anti-missile battery to be redeployed, and it appears the U.S. wheels are wobbling — or even coming loose.”
Trump escalated his criticism of his allies in a series of attacks on Tuesday posts on Truth Social, singling out France, Spain, Italy and the United Kingdom, although the United Kingdom has continued to allow American aircraft to operate from its territory, including bomber and tank missions associated with operations in the Middle East.
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“France has been VERY UNHELPFUL regarding the ‘Butcher of Iran’ who has been successfully eliminated! The US will remember!!!,” President Donald Trump wrote on social media. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
“The country of France would not allow aircraft bound for Israel, loaded with military supplies, to fly over French territory,” Trump wrote.
“France has been VERY UNHELPFUL regarding the ‘Butcher of Iran’, who has been successfully eliminated! The US will REMEMBER!!!,” he added.
In another post on Tuesday, Trump criticized Britain as he urged allies to take action in the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial global oil route disrupted during the conflict.
“To all those countries that can’t get jet fuel because of the Strait of Hormuz, like Britain, which refused to get involved in the decapitation of Iran, I have a suggestion for you,” Trump wrote.
“Number 1: buy in the US, we have plenty, and number 2: gather some delayed courage, go to the Street and just TAKE IT.”
“You’re going to have to learn how to fight for yourself. The US won’t be there to help you anymore, just like you weren’t there for us anymore. Iran has basically been decimated. The hard part is done. Go get your own oil!”
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US President Donald Trump meets with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer (L) and his wife Victoria Starmer at Trump Turnberry Golf Club on July 28, 2025 in Turnberry, Scotland. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth reiterated that message during a news conference Tuesday.
“There are countries around the world that must be prepared to step up in this crucial waterway as well,” he said. “It’s not just about the US Navy. Last time I checked, there’s a big, bad Royal Navy that might be willing to do that sort of thing too.”
NATO acknowledged the growing tension and referred to comments made by Secretary General Mark Rutte during a March 26 press conference.
“What I have seen is some frustration from him (Trump) about the fact that the Europeans have to take the time to respond to his request, when it comes to the issue of ensuring that the shipping lanes are open,” Rutte said.
“There’s a reason for that… the US couldn’t consult with allies because they wanted to keep the campaign secret,” he said. “But that also had the disadvantage that it takes time for the Europeans to organize themselves.”
Rutte added that more than thirty countries have now joined the discussions about securing maritime routes, “exactly at the request of President Trump.”
Hemmings warned that the fallout could have broader strategic implications.
“There is something deeper here, though, and that is that there is a growing transatlantic divide between right-leaning populists and left-leaning populists,” he said. “The fact is that the US and many Western European countries are not just divided over NATO spending and trade; they are also ideologically divided.”
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NATO leaders pose in this photo taken in June. (Claudia Greco/Reuters)
“This should worry Pentagon planners and NATO headquarters in Brussels,” he said. “Despite recent changes in the U.S. force structure in Europe, the changes have been incremental and carefully broadcast. The U.S. and Europe still desperately need each other for defense-industrial cooperation, to help bring Ukraine to victory and to deter their mutual adversaries.”
