Italy has sent minesweepers to the Persian Gulf region — ANSA
The Italian Ministry of Defense has begun redeploying two Navy minesweepers closer to the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.
This was announced by Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto, according to ANSA.
However, Rome officially states that the ships will begin carrying out their missions only after a peace agreement is reached between the U.S. and Iran.
The head of the Italian Defense Ministry, Guido Crosetto, emphasized the importance of the operational readiness of allied forces in the region.
According to him, it will take units a considerable amount of time to arrive at the scene, so a preemptive deployment is a necessary step for a rapid response.
“If peace is achieved, it will take allied units nearly a month to reach the Persian Gulf,” Crozetto explained the strategic rationale behind the redeployment.
Currently, the ships are heading to the Eastern Mediterranean, after which they will proceed to the waters of the Red Sea.
Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani confirmed that at this stage, Italy is not directly participating in the international operation to unblock the strait.
Official Rome is waiting for a definitive cessation of hostilities between Washington and Tehran before fully joining the coalition.
“This participation is possible only after a definitive cessation of hostilities,” the Deputy Prime Minister emphasized during a speech in the Italian Parliament.
He added that the country does not plan to seek authorization for a new military mission, but is merely demonstrating its readiness for peacekeeping operations.
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