NATO Secretary General comments spark controversy over European base usage in Iran operations

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated in a Fox News interview that European bases were utilized in the U.S.-Israel operation 'Epic Wrath' against Iran on February 28. Rutte reported that 500 U.S. military aircraft launched from bases in Italy, and that Bucharest's airport reduced commercial flights to accommodate U.S. aerial refueling operations. He estimated that between 4,000 and 5,000 sorties were conducted from European bases during the conflict. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei condemned these remarks, accusing NATO of being complicit in an illegal war of aggression against a UN member state. In Italy, the revelations triggered political tension, as the Meloni government had previously assured that domestic bases would only be used for technical and logistical support. The Italian government faces pressure to explain the discrepancy between these assurances and Rutte's claims of direct operational participation. European nations involved are now facing demands from Iranian officials to justify their support for the military actions.