Each European country establishes its own rules on the overflight of its territory and the use of its military bases.
Another consequence of the Israeli-American war with Iran: tensions are high between President Trump and Europeans accused of not sufficiently supporting the war, or even hindering it. Donald Trump recently criticized France for not allowing the overflight of its territory by a military plane heading to Israel. Europeans are cautious about a war they do not see as their own and react somewhat disorderedly in their effective support for American operations.
Everyone establishes their own rules on the overflight of their territory and the use of their military bases, in a certain opacity. For example, Paris did not indicate what type of military aircraft and for what reason France banned the overflight of its territory. While on real-time visualization maps in our sky, the regular passage of American military aircraft heading to the Middle East can be observed.
So the American army relies on different countries. First, the United Kingdom. London initially refused to use its bases to launch planes destined to bomb Iran. But after strong criticism from Trump, the British allowed their refueling: bombers B1 and B52 take off every day from the Fairford base in southwest England to attack Iran.
The Ramstein base in Germany is also very strategic for the Americans. It is the largest American airbase in Europe. An essential logistical platform to carry out operations in the Middle East. It plays a key role in using drones. In Berlin, there is a debate about the legality of its use in a war in which the country does not participate. But in this war, it plays a major role.
Rome, on the other hand, has raised its voice: “We are not at war and do not want to get involved,” stated Italian Prime Minister Georgia Melonie after a very recent incident. Italy allows the overflight of its territory and the use of its bases but only for so-called “logistical” operations, a rather vague term in the military field. A few days ago, the US military wanted to land bomber planes at the Sigonella base in Sicily. The planes were already in flight but landing was denied.
Romania collaborates much more openly. With an agreement signed in mid-March, the Americans obtained the right to use the Romanian NATO base to station refueling aircraft, surveillance equipment, and US military satellites.
Among the countries most closed to any American support, Spain, opposed to any collaboration, has taken a very firm stance from the beginning of the conflict. Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles stated, “Spanish bases will not be used for any action related to the war in Iran, which we consider illegitimate. And no to flight authorizations with Iran as the destination.” Austria also indicates that it does not authorize the US military to fly over its territory.
