Italy allowed US planes to use bases in Iran war, NATO’s Rutte says – POLITICO

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said Rome allowed 500 U.S. military aircraft to take off from American bases in Italy during U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, sparking a political backlash in Italy.

Speaking to Fox News late Tuesday ahead of a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington, Rutte also said: “Country after country, ally after ally … have made their bases available ... That means thousands, between 4,000 and 5,000 … planes taking off from European bases to support Epic Fury."

He added: "Europe is a platform of power projection for the United States."