Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said Thursday that he has told his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi that Italy did not allow its bases to be used by American forces for combat operations after NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte sparked controversy by saying some 500 US flights took off from them during the Iran war.

The Italian defence ministry said Rutte’s comments were misleading as it only authorized the bases to be used for ordinary logistic operations and it denied Washington permission for its bombers to use the Sigonella air base in Sicily in March.

Nevertheless, Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqei said the NATO chief’s remarks suggested Italy “colluded” in the war.

“I have spoken with the Iranian Foreign Minister @araghchi,” Tajani said via X.

“Italy has never taken part in any military initiative and has never authorized the use of bases for actions of war against Iran, within the strictest respect of the treaties with the United States.

“(In the conversation) I requested a return to full opening of the Strait of Hormuz, facilitating the passage of all Italian cargo ships still blocked.

“The reopening of the Italian embassy in Tehran is a strong signal of dialogue, also in view of the resumption of economic and cultural relations”.