Several European countries hosting U.S. military operations against Iran have adopted a strikingly similar rhetorical strategy - acknowledging the presence of American assets on their soil while insisting their role amounts to nothing more than logistical housekeeping.
The pattern has emerged across multiple NATO allies as governments try to square public opposition to the war with their behind-the-scenes facilitation of it, "Hvylya" reports, citing The Wall Street Journal.
French Defence Minister Catherine Vautrin offered perhaps the most memorable formulation. After it emerged that France allowed U.S. refueling aircraft to operate from the Istres-Le Tube Air Base, she told reporters: "A refueling aircraft is a gas station, not a fighter jet."
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni struck a similar note, saying earlier this month that U.S. operations at the Aviano air base in Italy "do not involve bombing." In practice, Aviano hosts refueling aircraft that facilitate long-range bombing missions against Iran.
The rhetorical balancing act reflects a genuine political dilemma. European leaders are wary of being seen to directly support a war that is driving up energy costs and proving deeply unpopular with voters. At the same time, they want to avoid alienating Washington, which underpins their security.
Romania agreed to host U.S. logistics and intelligence assets. Portugal's Lajes Air Base in the Azores has served as a major logistics hub and recently hosted dozens of U.S. refueling aircraft. The continent is home to around 40 U.S. military bases and 80,000 service personnel - infrastructure that, regardless of how European leaders describe it, has proven indispensable to Operation Epic Fury.
Also read: The Atlantic Exposes Three Critical Gaps in Trump's Iran War Strategy.