Italy and U.S. officials report renewed tensions over military flights and personal remarks

Italy's defense ministry stated that it had only authorized technical and logistical flights from U.S. bases, not combat operations. Officials described earlier accounts of hundreds of combat sorties as fallacious and misleading. The clarification followed remarks by a NATO official on U.S. television that referenced Italian territory in connection with a U.S.-Israeli campaign.

Rome reiterated that it had refused any request involving direct military action.

Public exchanges and canceled plans The Italian prime minister called remarks about the Pope unacceptable. The U.S. president responded in an interview with an Italian newspaper, stating he was shocked and describing the prime minister's position as unacceptable.

Days later the U.S. president said in a phone interview that the prime minister had begged for a photograph at a recent summit. The prime minister replied that she did not understand why the U.S. president behaved that way toward allies. Italy's foreign minister canceled a planned trip to Washington.

The Italian president telephoned the prime minister to express solidarity, and members of parliament across parties described the remarks as offensive.

Outlook for upcoming meetings Italy's foreign minister later said he would attend the U.S. Embassy reception. The next scheduled meeting between the two leaders is the NATO summit in Ankara next month. A commentator told the BBC that the situation might be difficult to reverse and that attempts to balance positions on Ukraine and tariffs had not succeeded.