Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni asserts Italy will not enter war, maintains strictly logistical use of US bases

Premier Giorgia Meloni confirms Italy will not join the war against Iran and maintains that US bases in Italy are restricted to logistical, non-combat use.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 5, 2026, 4:55 AM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Anadolu Agency

Maintaining Diplomatic and Military Neutrality

In a radio address on Thursday, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni sought to reassure the Italian public that the nation remains outside the direct military hostilities involving the U.S., Israel, and Iran. "I want to say that we are not at war and we do not want to enter a war," Meloni stated, reinforcing Italy's commitment to de-escalation. The Premier confirmed that the government has not received any formal requests from Washington to utilize Italian bases for offensive strikes or "kinetic" operations against Iranian targets. This stance comes as the regional war enters its sixth day, with international pressure mounting on European allies to define their level of involvement.

Governance of US Military Bases

Italy’s relationship with US military installations on its territory is governed by bilateral agreements dating back to 1954. Meloni noted that current authorizations for these bases are limited to logistics and "non-kinetic" operations—activities that do not involve active bombing or direct combat. The Prime Minister emphasized that should the United States request a shift toward combat-oriented use of these facilities, the Italian government would not act unilaterally; instead, the situation would be brought before Parliament for a comprehensive evaluation of the risks and legal implications.

Protection of Citizens and Energy Security

Despite the policy of non-combatance, Italy is actively considering sending defensive support to the Gulf region in coordination with the UK, France, and Germany. This move is primarily focused on safeguarding the tens of thousands of Italian citizens residing in the Middle East, as well as the approximately 2,000 Italian troops already stationed there. Meloni highlighted that the Gulf remains "vital for energy supplies," and the protection of maritime routes is a national security priority. By providing defensive hardware to Gulf states, Italy aims to mitigate the threat of Iranian drone and missile strikes without engaging in the offensive campaign.