Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani held a telephone conversation with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araqchi on Thursday evening.

During the call, Tajani categorically rejected recent comments by the NATO Secretary General regarding the alleged use of Italian military bases by the US in military operations against Iran.

He stressed that no Italian military bases were used for any attack on Iran, adding that such actions would not take place in the future. Tajani also stated that US aircraft did not depart from Italian territory to conduct bombings against Iran, and that the Italian government had never authorized such operations.

Iran’s foreign minister, in turn, appreciated the phone call and the clarification provided by his Italian counterpart, while emphasizing the need for an explicit and official denial of the remarks by the Italian government.