Italy denied landing permission for American military aircraft at the Sigonella air base in Sicily en route to the Middle East, according to a source familiar with the situation.

Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera reported that American bombers had been scheduled to land at the eastern Sicily base before continuing to the Middle East. Permission was denied because the US had not filed a formal request with Italian military command, which is mandatory under agreements governing the use of American military facilities in Italy.

Left-wing opposition parties called on the government to block the use of American bases to prevent Italy's involvement in the conflict. PM Giorgia Meloni's government announced it would seek parliamentary approval if such requests materialize.

Spain had previously closed its airspace to American aircraft involved in the Iran operations, and France also banned overflight of its territory for military flights to the Middle East.