Europe

Italy’s Defense Minister Stands by US Base Denial on Iran

Defence Minister Guido Crosetto

Photographer: Alberto Pizzoli/AFP/Getty Images

Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto defended the decision to deny the US use of an Italian air base for operations in Iran, insisting that the government was following procedures in place for decades.

Crosetto addressed lawmakers on Tuesday to explain why Italy denied the US, a longtime ally and NATO partner, the use of the Sigonella base in Sicily last month.