Washington, DC [US], March 31 (ANI): US President Donald Trump on Tuesday (local time) sharply criticized France for denying the use of its airspace to American planes headed to Israel carrying military supplies.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump described France as “unhelpful” with Iran and warned that Washington would remember the decision. “The Country of France wouldn’t let planes headed to Israel, loaded up with military supplies, fly over French territory. France has been VERY UNHELPFUL with respect to the ‘Butcher of Iran,’ who has been successfully eliminated! The U.S.A. will REMEMBER!!! President DJT,” Trump wrote.
Meanwhile, The Jerusalem Post reported that Israel has halted its defense sales to France, citing what it described as a “hostile attitude.” According to the report, sources said the decision followed France’s stance toward Israel over the past two years.
The report added that Defense Minister Israel Katz formally ordered the halt, though such a move would likely have required approval from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. An Israeli official was quoted as saying that French President Emmanuel Macron’s decision to deny US aircraft access to French airspace en route to Israel was “the straw that broke the camel’s back.”
The development comes after reports that Italy denied the United States the use of the Sigonella base. Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto on Monday (local time) rejected the use of the base after Italy became aware of the flight plans of certain US air assets, which involved landing at Sigonella before heading to West Asia, according to Italian newspaper La Repubblica.
According to the report, no authorization had been requested, and Italian military leaders were not consulted. The plan was reportedly communicated while the aircraft were already in flight. Checks later revealed that these were not routine or logistical flights and were therefore not covered by existing treaty arrangements with Italy.
Earlier in March, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said in an interview with RTL radio, “We’re not at war; we don’t want to go to war,” as quoted by Politico.
Earlier, Trump had also reiterated his stance on cutting trade with Spain over the NATO ally’s refusal to allow the use of its military bases for operations linked to the war with Iran. “We may cut off trade with Spain,” the US President said when asked about bilateral ties.
Since the conflict in West Asia, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has reiterated his opposition to the US-Israel joint military strikes that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on February 28. Sanchez emphasized that his government stands firmly against war, stating, “This government is consistent in its principles and values: No to war.” (ANI)
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