ROME – Italian naval officials have announced their readiness to contribute up to four warships to an international coalition working to restore safe passage through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.
The announcement comes after European officials gathered in Paris last week to coordinate a multinational response aimed at protecting commercial shipping through the critical waterway, which has been mostly inaccessible during the current U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran.
The Strait of Hormuz serves as a crucial shipping lane for approximately 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies. More than a dozen nations, including Italy, have committed to participating in the mission to restore secure transit once circumstances permit.
Navy Chief of Staff Giuseppe Berutti Bergotto outlined Italy’s planned contribution during a Wednesday evening interview with state broadcaster RAI. “The contingency plan drawn up by the Chief of the Defence Staff envisages a group consisting of two minesweepers, an escort vessel and a logistics vessel,” Berutti Bergotto explained.
The Italian naval commander emphasized the collaborative nature of the operation. “Obviously we are not acting alone. We are part of an international coalition, and other nations will also send minesweepers,” he stated, noting that Britain, France, Belgium and the Netherlands possess mine-clearing capabilities.
According to Berutti Bergotto, the Italian fleet would depart from La Spezia, a northwestern port, requiring approximately four weeks to reach the operational area. Italy maintains eight minesweepers in its current naval fleet.
Defense Minister Guido Crosetto indicated last week that the administration plans to obtain parliamentary authorization before confirming Italy’s involvement in the Hormuz operation.
