Italy: Italy's alliance with the United States remains robust despite recent disagreements over its stance on Iran and military commitments in the Strait of Hormuz, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani affirmed.
According to Anadolu Agency, Tajani made these remarks in an interview with Italian daily Corriere della Sera, addressing concerns following US President Donald Trump's criticism of Italy's position on the Iran crisis and his suggestion of potentially reducing the US military presence in Italy. Tajani emphasized that the alliance transcends individual US administrations, stating, "The alliance is solid and it is with the US, not with Trump, or Obama, or Biden."
Tajani further underscored the mutual dependence between Europe, Italy, and the US, highlighting strategic and economic interdependencies. He stressed that weakening such ties would be detrimental to all parties involved, particularly concerning the security of the entire Western region.
In response to accusations from Washington that Italy had not adequately supported US efforts in the Middle East, Tajani refuted these claims as unfounded. He pointed to Italy's active participation in NATO and UN peacekeeping missions, especially in Lebanon, as evidence of its commitment.
Tajani revealed that Italy is ready to enhance its role in Lebanon by providing military training and support through Italy's Guardia di Finanza to address arms trafficking, drug smuggling, and terrorist financing. He emphasized Italy's consistent contributions to global peace efforts, noting, "We have never backed down, from Iraq to Afghanistan: our soldiers have died defending peace and freedom."
Regarding the Strait of Hormuz, Tajani mentioned Italy's willingness to deploy minesweepers to ensure freedom of navigation, contingent upon a "consolidated truce and a framework of international agreements." He clarified that Italy's intention is not to engage in warfare but to uphold international maritime law.
Despite the differences over Iran, Tajani assured that Italy and the US maintain close communication, reiterating their enduring alliance. He also advocated for a more cohesive and independent Europe in terms of defense and foreign policy.
On the topic of Ukraine, Tajani called for the EU to preserve its unified support for Kyiv and to continue sanctions against Russia. He also expressed concerns about the potential economic and food security repercussions of prolonged disruptions in Hormuz, particularly due to blocked fertilizer shipments from Gulf nations, which could lead to food crises in Africa and impact Italian agriculture.