Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has said Italy would only consider taking part in an international mission in the Strait of Hormuz after the end of the conflict involving Iran, stressing that Rome is not preparing to join any military operation.
Her remarks came after a statement from Downing Street said the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the Netherlands had expressed willingness to contribute to efforts aimed at guaranteeing commercial navigation through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.
“I want to be clear because I feel like there have been some somewhat forced interpretations,” Meloni said during the overnight European Council meeting. “No one is considering an Italian mission to force the blockade of the Strait.”
She added that discussions were focused on a possible post-conflict contribution agreed with all parties, aimed at protecting freedom of navigation.
Italy stresses political, not military role
Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said the document signed by six countries should be interpreted as a political initiative rather than a military commitment.
“It is a political document, not a military one, to work together, to try to create the conditions to guarantee freedom of maritime circulation,” Tajani said in an interview on the La7 programme Tagadà.
He emphasised that Italy does not want to be drawn into the conflict and is instead working to prevent escalation. Tajani also highlighted the importance of keeping maritime routes open to avoid further pressure on global energy markets.
“We are not part of the war, and we don’t want to be part of the war,” he said.
Defence minister rules out deployment without truce
Defence Minister Guido Crosetto also rejected suggestions that Italy could join a mission to break any blockade before a ceasefire.
“No war mission,” Crosetto said, referring to the document endorsed by the six countries. He added that there would be no entry into the Strait without a truce and a broader multilateral initiative.
Crosetto said Italy believes the United Nations should provide the legal framework for any future operation, which he described as needing to be peaceful and coordinated internationally.
Strategic importance of the Strait
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints, linking the Persian Gulf to global shipping routes. A significant share of global oil and liquefied natural gas exports pass through the narrow waterway, making any disruption a major concern for energy markets.
Italian officials said the aim of the joint declaration was to signal willingness to cooperate diplomatically to ensure safe navigation, rather than to prepare for military intervention.
Meloni’s government has repeatedly stressed that any Italian contribution would only be considered in a post-conflict scenario, and only within a multilateral framework agreed by the international community.
