NATO Chief Rutte’s Remarks on Italy Role in US Operations Spark Political Row

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Wednesday sought to ease transatlantic tensions by reminding the White House of European contributions to US operations in Iran — but reignited a political row in Italy in the process.

Rutte, who was scheduled to meet US President Donald Trump later on Wednesday, highlighted broader European participation in maritime security efforts in the Strait of Hormuz, including preparations for demining operations, during an interview with Fox News.

His comments came less than a week after US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth described European allies’ assistance towards US operations in the Middle East as “shameful.”

Rutte Weighs In on Trump-Italy Spat

Rutte also weighed in on Trump’s latest dispute with Italy. Citing intelligence and operational data, he said that “around 500 US aircraft took off from American bases in the country to support the Epic Fury operation.”

However, his intervention quickly backfired in Rome and reignited political debate over the extent of Italy’s involvement.

The comments reopened political tensions in Italy, with the opposition arguing that Rutte’s statement contradicts Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s narrative about limited involvement.

Giuseppe Provenzano, foreign affairs chief of the Democratic Party, called for “urgent clarification from the government,” saying Rutte’s remarks suggest Italy played a “massive role” in the war.

Italian Defence Ministry Responds

The Italian Defence Ministry then clarified that Italy has “always operated in full compliance with the Constitution, international treaties, parliamentary guidance and agreements governing the presence and use of allied bases.”

It added that “only technical and logistical, non-kinetic activities were authorised within the procedures established by existing agreements,” stressing that “a more in-depth review at the source would have been enough to provide a true picture of what has happened.”

Rutte Backs Trump’s Iran Policy

In his interview, Rutte strongly backed Trump’s Iran policy, saying the president is doing “exactly what is needed” by targeting Iran’s nuclear capabilities. He warned that a nuclear-armed Iran would be an “exporter of chaos” and “terrorism,” with devastating consequences for the region and the world.

Rutte also credited Trump’s pressure with accelerating a sharp rise in European defence spending, which he described as “staggering.”