Italy focuses on dialogue: de-escalation and multilateral solutions to secure Hormuz

Focus on diplomacy, on dialogue, to reach multilateral solutions. These are the recurring keywords in the cautious considerations with which the government is handling the conflict in Iran and its implications. Starting with the security of the Strait of Hormuz. With Defense Minister Guido Crosetto indicating among the conceivable options the possibility of a blue helmets mission. Although within the executive, the difficulties of such a prospect are not hidden. First of all, due to the presence of China and Russia in the Security Council, and then because UN involvement can only occur with a ceasefire, which at the moment does not seem to be on the table for the USA and Israel.

The line is that reiterated by Giorgia Meloni. «Italy does not participate in this attack against Iran and does not intend to participate - she says in an episode of Fedez's Pulp Podcast, recorded in recent days and airing Thursday -. Our job is to promote de-escalation». In this perspective, the appeal repeatedly launched by Donald Trump finds no support in Italy. The US president has not been mentioned by the prime minister for some time, who describes an «obvious crisis of international law, with unilateral decisions multiplying and institutions becoming less effective». And neither do the members of her government explicitly talk about him. It is difficult to expect formal positions, but in fact Italy has distanced itself from the offensive launched by the USA and Israel, which is unpopular with the majority of Italians, as also shown by the internal polls, which are always watched closely. «It’s a game - one of the arguments made in government circles - where everyone is a loser except Israel». The last direct contact with the top officials of the Washington administration remains the phone call between Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani and Secretary of State Marco Rubio on March 4, five days after the start of the war.

Hormuz is at the top of the priorities addressed also in the international contacts of the Prime Minister, who with her ministers will be at the usual working breakfast at the Quirinale, on the eve of a delicate EU Council. The Italian frigate Rizzo remains distant, engaged in the Aspides mission in the Red Sea, which "can be reinforced to ensure tranquility in the passage in that same area and in the Suez Canal," specifies Crosetto. For Tajani, the crisis in the strait between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran, a key junction for global trade, must be resolved diplomatically. "I don't know how convenient it is, even from a military point of view, to get caught up in a gulf, in a complicated strait - he observes while looking at the history of ancient Greece -. Let's not have a reverse Battle of Salamis." "It's not that the countries have said they are against securing Hormuz, they said 'no' to a mission that could seem almost like an entry into war in that channel," clarifies Crosetto, explaining that "all countries hope for a multilateral mission. Perhaps the United Nations could take the lead on this matter."

Italy fears an escalation also in Lebanon, where Tajani hopes that the "unacceptable" situation in Gaza does not repeat itself.

The minister also condemns the "acts of bullying" against the UNIFIL blue helmets. At the Italian base in Shama, rocket debris has fallen.

"There are two alternatives - warns Crosetto -: either somehow the Hezbollah are disarmed by a multilateral United Nations mission or they are disarmed by Israel through war, as is happening now." In short, UNIFIL would need new rules of engagement.

Meanwhile, Rome is demobilizing non-essential personnel in the Gulf area. After the drone attack on the Baghdad hotel where some Italian soldiers of the 'NATO Mission Iraq' were staying, aimed at stabilizing the country, a new operation for the "almost total" evacuation of our soldiers has begun. Transferred to Kurdistan, they will move to Turkey before being repatriated, explains Crosetto.

Work is also being done on support for Gulf countries, from the hypothesis on the Samp-T missile battery to anti-drone systems. "To the United Arab Emirates, attacked without having done anything, we responded with military aid," confirms Tajani, and "we are ready to consider possible assistance to strengthen the defense capabilities of Kuwait."