Italy has publicly contradicted NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte’s assertion that hundreds of U.S. aircraft launched from Italian bases supported military operations against Iran. Rome stated it only authorized technical and logistical flights, not offensive military actions. Rutte, in a Fox News interview, highlighted Italy as a key supporter of the U.S., specifically mentioning 500 planes departing from Italian bases in support of “Epic Fury,” the U.S. operation alongside Israel. Italian officials assert Rutte’s account misrepresents the scope of their cooperation. The discrepancy raises questions about transparency regarding the use of NATO member states’ territory for military operations. This rebuke underscores Italy’s desire to maintain control over its foreign policy and limit its direct involvement in conflicts outside its mandate. The incident has prompted scrutiny of communication between NATO and its member nations regarding military support.