Several European allies moved in recent days to restrict military movements linked to the Iran war, with Spain closing its airspace, Italy denying landings at a key base in Sicily and President Donald Trump saying France refused overflights for planes carrying military supplies to Israel.
Spain
Spain closed its airspace to U.S. planes involved in the Iran war, after earlier barring the use of the jointly operated Rota and Morón bases for actions related to the conflict.
"This was made perfectly clear to the American military and forces from the very beginning," Defense Minister Margarita Robles said. "Therefore, neither the bases are authorized, nor, of course, is the use of Spanish airspace authorized for any actions related to the war in Iran."
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez had already called for an end to the war, saying earlier this month, "You cannot respond to one illegality with another, because that's how humanity's great disasters begin."
A White House official told Newsweek that the United States did not need "help from Spain or anyone else," adding that the "United States military is meeting or surpassing all of its goals under Operation Epic Fury."
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused Spain's leaders of "bragging" about closing the country's airspace, even as Washington has pledged to defend the NATO ally.
He told Al Jazeera: "If NATO is just about us defending Europe if they're attacked but then denying us basing rights when we need them, that's not a very good arrangement."
France
Trump hit out at France on Tuesday after it refused to allow planes "loaded up with military supplies" and "headed to Israel" to fly over French territory, describing Paris as "VERY UNHELPFUL" in a Truth Social post.
French officials have not commented on the claim.
Reuters reported that France had prevented Israel from using its airspace to transport American weapons to be used in the war, citing two sources and a Western diplomat. The refusal took place over the weekend and was the first instance since the start of the Iran war, the sources said.
Italy
Italy denied landing rights to several U.S. bombers at the Sigonella base in eastern Sicily, according to reports by Corriere della Sera and ANSA news agency.
The flight plans were submitted while the aircraft were en route and were not authorized by Italy's military. Defense Minister Guido Crosetto made the decision. The move stops short of closing Italian airspace to all U.S. military aircraft.
A Pentagon spokesperson said, "U.S. European Command routinely hosts transient U.S. military aircraft (and personnel) in accordance with access, basing, and overflight agreements with Allies and partners."
The official did not give further details, citing operational security.
Switzerland
Switzerland, citing its laws of neutrality, rejected the majority of U.S. requests to use its airspace during the Iran war, according to news agency Keystone-SDA via Swiss Into.
Of the 11 applications it received from the U.S. between March 5 and 23, only four were approved by the Federal Office of Civil Aviation and one was withdrawn, the report stated.
Newsweek has approached the Federal Office of Civil Aviation for more information.
Update 4/1/2026 6:31 a.m. ET: This story has been updated with more information