5,000 US Aircraft From Europe Supported Iran War, NATO Chief Mark Rutte Confirms

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has said up to 5,000 US flight missions took off from European bases during the Iran war, highlighting the role of European allies in the US-led Operation Epic Fury.

Rutte's remarks have drawn attention because several European governments had publicly sought to distance themselves from direct involvement in the conflict. He said European bases served as a major platform for US military operations against Iran.

Rutte Reveals Scale Of European Support

Rutte said between 4,000 and 5,000 US flight missions were conducted from European bases during the conflict.

He also said around 500 US aircraft took off from American bases in Italy in support of Operation Epic Fury. Rutte cited the figures while responding to criticism from US President Donald Trump that European NATO allies had not done enough to support Washington.

The figures refer to US aircraft operating from European bases and should not be read as evidence that NATO, as an alliance, conducted the US combat operation itself.

Italy Rejects Interpretation Of Direct Involvement

Rutte's comments triggered a political dispute in Italy, where the government said it had authorised only technical and logistical, non-kinetic flights under existing agreements with the United States.

Italy's defence ministry said flights outside that permitted scope were not authorised. Rome had also denied permission for US bombers to use the Sigonella air base in Sicily during the conflict.

The disagreement has focused on the distinction between allowing US military aircraft to use European bases for logistics and supporting an offensive military campaign directly.

What Was Operation Epic Fury?

The United States launched Operation Epic Fury against Iran on February 28, according to a US Department of Defence fact sheet.

The operation involved strikes against Iranian military infrastructure, including command and control centres, integrated air-defence systems, ballistic missile sites, naval assets and drone manufacturing facilities.

European bases provided a significant logistical and operational platform for US forces during the campaign, according to Rutte.

Europe’s Role Raises Questions

Rutte has argued that the scale of European support showed how closely US military operations remain connected to access to allied infrastructure.

At a NATO summit, he said the operation would have been very difficult without Europe serving as a platform for projecting US military power.

The comments have also exposed differences between NATO-level messaging and individual governments' descriptions of their involvement, particularly in countries where governments faced domestic opposition to the Iran war.

The episode is likely to keep questions over the use of European military bases, national authorisation procedures and the balance of responsibilities within NATO in focus.