Rome: Italy last week denied permission for U.S. military aircraft to land at the Sigonella air base in Sicily before heading to the Middle East, because Washington had not sought prior authorisation from the government in Rome. Some U.S. bombers" had been due to land at the base in eastern Sicily before flying on to the Middle East, where the United States is at war with Israel against Iran.About Iran, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said 'This strategy is wrong. But if it does not work, then the alternative must be formulized. She said so what do you mean, we must distance ourselves in the sense that we must leave NATO. We must close American bases. I don't know what must we do.The report did not specify when the aircraft were due to land but said permission was denied because the U.S. had not requested clearance and Italy's military leadership had not been consulted, as required under treaties governing the use of U.S. military installations in the country.