Italian officials announced Wednesday they will refuse to deploy naval vessels for patrol duties in the Strait of Hormuz region following a ceasefire between America and Iran, unless the United Nations provides authorization for such operations.
Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, who also serves as infrastructure minister in Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s conservative administration, addressed reporters about the matter.
“It is not on the agenda. We have already said that we will not send ships unless there is a United Nations initiative,” Salvini stated.
The ongoing conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran has created a significant energy crisis affecting the worldwide economy. Tehran’s decision to block the Strait of Hormuz to most maritime traffic has trapped substantial amounts of oil and gas in the Gulf region, creating particularly severe impacts for European nations including Italy.
The energy supply disruption has prompted some officials, including members of Salvini’s far-right League party, to suggest Europe should consider reestablishing energy trade relationships with Russia, which were terminated following Moscow’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Salvini later reversed course on that suggestion, acknowledging such arrangements would be impossible while the Ukrainian conflict continues.
“I hope that a time will soon come when it will be possible to speak about reconstruction and cooperation, including partnerships and energy, once the conflict with Russia has ended,” he addressed the Foreign Press Association in Italy.
Similar to other NATO member nations hesitant to support President Donald Trump’s military strikes against Iran, Italy recently refused to grant landing rights for American military aircraft at the Sigonella air base in Sicily while en route to Middle Eastern operations.
When asked about potential tensions between Washington and European capitals that could result in American military withdrawal from Europe, Salvini downplayed such concerns.
“I don’t believe there is any imminent issue regarding NATO troop withdrawals from Europe,” he commented.
