Operation "Epic Fury" Deepens Transatlantic Rift: U.S. and Europe at Odds Over Competing Security Priorities

On the first day of her Middle East tour, which began on April 3, 2026, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stated that Rome disagrees with Washington regarding the operation against Iran. Prior to this, Italy had denied the United States access to the Sigonella Air Base in Sicily for operations targeting Iran. 

By the thirteenth day of Operation Epic Fury, on March 13, 2026, France and Italy had already opened direct negotiations with Tehran to secure guarantees for their commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto publicly confirmed these contacts.

The divergence from Washington is not limited to EU member states. The United Kingdom authorized the use of its bases exclusively for defensive operations, denied U.S. requests for offensive basing, and assembled a coalition of 41 countries to restore maritime navigation after the active phase of the conflict.