European Powers Block US Access to Bases and Airspace for Iran War

A significant rift has opened within the NATO alliance as major European powers move to restrict the United States and Israel from using their territory for military operations against Iran.

According to reports from multiple outlets, France, Spain, and Italy have all implemented varying degrees of denial regarding airspace and base access for Operation Epic Fury.

France blocks weapons transport

France has prohibited Israel from using its airspace to transport American weapons intended for the war in Iran, according to a Western diplomat and sources familiar with the matter speaking to Reuters on March 31.

The refusal occurred over the weekend and represents the first time Paris has taken such a step since the conflict began. While the French State General Staff has maintained that its tanker assets in Istres-Le-Tube are limited to supporting regional allies in the Gulf, the restriction on overflights for weapons cargo indicates a tightening of French policy regarding direct involvement in the offensive.

Read more

Category

War in Ukraine

What Are Iranian Shahed Drones Capable of? From Ukraine to Dubai and US Bases in the Gulf

Mar 04, 2026 16:33

Spain enforces neutrality and denies base access

In Madrid, the government of President Pedro Sánchez has moved to a position of near-neutrality, closing Spanish airspace to all flights involved in the attack on Iran, El País reported on March 30

Sánchez confirmed in Congress that Spain has denied the United States the use of the Rota and Morón de la Frontera bases for combat or refueling operations. “We have denied the United States the use of the bases of Rota and Morón for this illegal war,” Sánchez stated, adding that all flight plans related to Operation Epic Fury have been rejected.

The Spanish veto has forced roughly 15 KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft to relocate from Spain to France and Germany. While Spain continues to allow logistical support for the 80,000 US troops stationed in Europe under bilateral agreements, it refuses to participate in any action lacking a UN or multilateral mandate. US strategic bombers, such as the B-2 Spirit, have been forced to transit through the Strait of Gibraltar to avoid entering Spanish airspace, relying on KC-46 Pegasus tankers stationed in the Azores for refueling.

Read more

Category

War in Ukraine

What Is Ukraine’s Interceptor, One of the World’s Most In-Demand Drones?

Mar 19, 2026 18:20

Italy rejects unannounced bomber landings at sigonella

Italy joined the blockade after US military leaders attempted to land bombers at the Sigonella naval air station in Sicily without prior consultation, Corriere della Sera reported on March 31.

The Chief of the Defense Staff Luciano Portolano and Minister of Defense Guido Crosetto rejected the flight plans while the aircraft were already in flight. Crosetto emphasized that while US bases in Italy remain active for logistical purposes defined by existing treaties, any offensive operation requires specific parliamentary approval.

“There is no cooling or tension with the United States,” Crosetto clarified on social media, “because they know the rules that have regulated their presence in Italy since 1954.” However, the refusal has triggered intense domestic political debate, with opposition leaders such as Giuseppe Conte praising the move as a necessary adherence to the Italian Constitution. The incident has drawn comparisons to the 1985 Sigonella crisis, highlighting the potential for a deeper diplomatic fallout as Washington continues to pressure its allies for support in the Middle East.

The latest surge in American military personnel follows a series of intensifying maritime confrontations in the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran has maintained a blockade that chokes nearly a fifth of global oil and gas flows.

The Pentagon had previously deployed a Marine expeditionary unit of approximately 2,500 personnel to counter Iranian attacks on commercial shipping. This buildup has coincided with a volatile global energy market, which saw Oman crude prices skyrocket to $154 per barrel in mid-March.

While Washington has explored a 15-point peace proposal through Pakistani intermediaries, the Pentagon has simultaneously developed “final blow” military options to end the conflict if diplomatic efforts fail.

Protect Ukrainian Skies

Subscribe to Sky Defense