Newsletters
Italy will send air defense assistance to Gulf countries targeted by Iranian strikes launched in retaliation for US-Israeli attacks, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said Thursday.
Separately, Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto told parliament that Italy, along with France, Spain, and the Netherlands, will send naval assets to defend EU member Cyprus “in the coming days.”
In an interview with RTL 102.5 radio, Meloni said, “Italy, like the U.K., France and Germany, intends to send aid to the Gulf countries.”
“We are clearly talking about defense, air defense, not just because they are friendly nations but because there are tens of thousands of Italians in that area and around 2,000 Italian soldiers that we must protect,” she added.
“And the Gulf is vital for energy supplies for Italy and Europe," she said.
Addressing parliament Thursday morning, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said several strategic Gulf nations “have formally requested Italy's support to strengthen their air defense capabilities against attacks coming from Iran.”
“Tens of thousands of Italians, civilians and military personnel” are present in the region, he said.
Tajani added that the foreign ministry has so far helped about 10,000 Italians leave areas considered at risk.
Crosetto, also speaking in parliament, said the assistance sent to Gulf nations would include “air defense, anti-drone, and anti-missile systems.”
He added that Italy has raised the protection of the country’s air and missile defense network to its maximum level in coordination with NATO.
Meloni was also asked about the potential involvement of three U.S. military bases in Italy in the conflict.
She said the bases already have authorization for “non-bombing operations,” and any change would have to be considered by her government and likely by the Italian parliament.
“But to date, we have no requests in this regard,” she said, a statement later confirmed by Crosetto in parliament.
Set as preferred source
Set as preferred source
1 min read
1 min read
