On April 2 (local time), Austria's government said it rejected U.S. requests to permit American military aircraft involved in the conflict with Iran to transit its airspace.
AFP reported that Michael Bauer, a spokesman for Austria's Defense Ministry, said the requests were received but denied from the outset, citing Austria's neutrality laws.
Bauer said the U.S. sought \"several\" overflights but declined to provide further details.
Switzerland also said it denied U.S. military aircraft involved in operations targeting Iran permission to use its airspace and published records showing U.S. approval requests, including for reconnaissance flights.
Both Austria and Switzerland are neutral and not NATO members, though they cooperate with the alliance through the Partnership for Peace (PfP) program.
Among NATO members in Europe, Spain has barred U.S. military aircraft from its airspace, and Italy has refused the use of a Sicilian airbase.
After European allies repeatedly refused to cooperate on the Middle East conflict, President Donald Trump said the previous day he might pull the U.S. out of NATO.
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Jang Hyo-in (hijang@yna.co.kr)
