Across Italy, from airports to naval ports and radar installations, the United States maintains a significant military presence. Around 13,000 American troops - both enlisted personnel and officers - are currently stationed in the country.
In recent days, attention has focused on the Sigonella air base in Sicily, where activity involving American drones and aircraft has reportedly increased. According to official sources, the flights are primarily related to logistics, refueling, and aerial surveillance operations.
Under existing agreements, however, the United States cannot use bases in Italy as launch points for military attacks - such as potential strikes on Tehran - without the approval of the Italian government. Amid the current geopolitical tensions, Rome has stated that any decision to grant such authorization would be shared with Parliament.
The legal framework governing these bases dates back to the early Cold War. Key agreements include the NATO Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) signed in 1951, the Bilateral Infrastructure Agreement of 1954 - updated in 1973 - and the Italy-U.S. Memorandum of Understanding of 1995.
In addition to Sigonella, major American-operated facilities include the Aviano Air Base in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region - where several F-16 fighter jets have reportedly been relocated - and the Ghedi base in Lombardy, which is believed to host nuclear weapons.
The U.S. military presence also extends to the ports of Naples and Gaeta, as well as the bases of Camp Darby in Tuscany - considered the largest U.S. weapons and ammunition depot in Europe - and Camp Ederle and Caserma Del Din in the Veneto region.
Beyond the 13,000 troops stationed at these facilities, another 21,000 personnel serve within the U.S. Navy’s Sixth Fleet, which operates roughly 40 ships and 175 combat and transport aircraft.
Italy also hosts advanced surveillance systems, including the MUOS (Mobile User Objective System) satellite communications facility in Niscemi, Sicily, which supports monitoring operations across several regions, including the Middle East.