Italy rejected statements by NATO Secretary‑General Jens Stoltenberg that U.S. bases on Italian soil were participating in the "Epic Rage" operation against Iran. Defence Minister Guido Crosetto said Rome has only authorised non‑combat technical and logistical activities, all carried out in line with the Italian Constitution and international agreements. He added that Italy has refused any requests exceeding those limits and described Stoltenberg's remarks, which equate support flights with combat actions, as "completely misleading". Crosetto also noted that the NATO chief has no role in the operation.