Iran Crisis: Latest Updates – Attacks, Defense & Italy’s Response (March 5, 2026)

Italy’s Defense Minister Guido Crosetto described the current situation as “dramatic,” stating he believes the world is closer to a dangerous precipice than it has been in decades. Crosetto made the remarks Thursday even as addressing the Senate following discussions about the crisis in Iran. “For years, Russian nationalists have been asking Putin to use tactical nuclear weapons against Ukraine, and in a time of such chaos, this could allow him to make choices he would never have made under normal conditions,” Crosetto added.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (Pasdaran) asserted Thursday that they shot down an American F-15 fighter jet in southwestern Iran. According to the state-run Tasnim news agency, the Guard’s aerospace defense systems targeted what they identified as an “F-15 Strike Eagle.” U.S. Command has yet to release any information regarding the incident.

The Iranian military claims to have attacked a base housing U.S. Troops in Erbil, northern Iraq, using ground-attack drones. The semi-official Tasnim news agency reported the attack caused “significant damage.” The escalating tensions follow recent exchanges between Iran and Israel.

The Italian Chamber of Deputies approved a majority resolution concerning Iran on Thursday, with 179 votes in favor, 100 against, and 14 abstentions.

As the crisis in the Middle East intensifies, Russia is reportedly engaging in provocative maneuvers, taking advantage of the focus on other areas. Reports indicate that Russia’s “invisible” Krasnodar submarine has been operating in the Mediterranean Sea for weeks, conducting reconnaissance and escorting tankers. The submarine’s presence is seen as a potential threat to the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier, deployed off the coast of Israel. A U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon surveillance aircraft departed from Sigonella air base to monitor the situation.

Two KC-767A aerial refueling aircraft of the Italian Air Force departed Italy on Wednesday en route to the Gulf region, with one heading to Dubai and the other to Al Bateen, Abu Dhabi. The flights coincided with the partial reopening of Dubai International Airport following disruptions related to the ongoing regional crisis. While the mission has not been officially confirmed, the deployment is believed to be connected to the repatriation of Italian citizens still stranded in the area. Approximately 192 Italians returned to Ciampino Airport Wednesday night aboard two flights from the United Arab Emirates, one from Abu Dhabi and one from Dubai.

The North Atlantic Council, NATO’s principal political decision-making body, convened Thursday at the alliance’s headquarters in Evere, Belgium, to discuss the situation resulting from the conflict in Iran and the reported downing of an Iranian missile in Turkey.

Elly Schlein, leader of the Democratic Party, called for a rejection of any authorization to use military bases to support the conflict, arguing it would violate international law. “You must say no now, because it would be against Article 11 of the constitution,” Schlein stated during a parliamentary session on Iran.

“It certainly was outside the rules of international law,” Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said Thursday while responding to opposition lawmakers who accused the U.S. And Israel of acting in violation of international law. “The Israeli attack occurred when Khamenei’s position became known; Here’s a war that started without the world’s knowledge and that we are now trying to manage,” Crosetto added. The comments underscore the growing international concern over the escalating conflict.

“Regarding the President of the Council, I don’t believe she would say anything different from what Minister Crosetto and I have said. Neither the other day nor today. So, if she deems it appropriate to come before the scheduled debate, it will be her decision based on the development of the situation,” said Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani. He emphasized the need to work to prevent the situation from deteriorating and to avoid the spread of conflict to other areas.

“The safety of our citizens is our priority; what Italy has done is unmatched. No other country has blocked an aircraft that didn’t depart. Ask how many countries have operational desks at all the airports involved,” Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani asserted Thursday. He dismissed reports of Italians claiming they were not receiving assistance as untrue, adding, “I understand that the government’s efficiency is annoying.”

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni spoke by phone with French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday. According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s office, the two leaders discussed the implications of the conflict in Iran, both regionally and globally, focusing on the impact on freedom of navigation. Meloni and Macron reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Gulf nations impacted by Iranian attacks and the security of Cyprus, and to preventing further military escalation in Lebanon. They agreed to remain in close contact as the crisis evolves.

“We have decided to form a permanent coordination group among the Ministries of Defense to follow this crisis. That’s why, speaking with the Spanish minister yesterday, we decided that within the European Union it made sense to send a signal to Cyprus, and probably, Italians, French, Dutch, and Spanish will provide assistance to Cyprus at this time, security assistance,” Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said Thursday during a briefing to the Chamber of Deputies. “This is a very tough moment. We must therefore reassess our arrangements in the region with some objectives: the protection of our missions, our nationals, to protect national interests, and to respond to the difficulties of countries in difficulty.”

Nearly 540 missiles have been launched by Iran against several Gulf countries, many of which were intercepted, as were over 1,300 drones. This is according to data presented Thursday by Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto during a briefing to the Chamber of Deputies. “The United Arab Emirates suffered many more attacks than Israel. Iran’s targets have focused on countries that are not participating in the war. 186 ballistic missiles were detected targeting the Emirates, 172 of which were intercepted; 812 drones were launched, with 755 intercepted. In Qatar, 101 ballistic missiles and 98 were intercepted; 39 drones were launched, 24 of which were intercepted. In Bahrain, 73 Iranian missiles and 91 drones. In Kuwait, 178 ballistic missiles and 384 drones. Iran’s current strategy is to create chaos and economic complexity through the Strait of Hormuz,” Crosetto said.

“Given what happened in Turkey and what happened in Cyprus, I have instructed the Chief of Staff of the Defense to raise the level of national air and ballistic defense protection to the maximum, in coordination with allies and NATO. Faced with a reckless reaction, we can expect anything, and everything can be expected,” Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said Thursday during a briefing to the Chamber of Deputies.

In response to “indiscriminate attacks” by Iran against countries in the region, “some of our strategic partners in the Gulf have formally requested Italy’s support to strengthen their air defense capabilities. These are nations where tens of thousands of Italians, civilians and military personnel, are present, and we have a duty to protect,” Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said Thursday. “We are here today to share this choice with Parliament, with the modalities that Minister Crosetto will illustrate in detail. That is why I renew a heartfelt appeal to all political forces: debate is legitimate and necessary, differences of opinion are part of normal democratic dialogue, but in such delicate passages it is essential to be united,” he added.

“We must reassess our arrangements in the region and respond to the requests of friendly countries in difficulty. We intend to deploy a multi-domain device in the Middle East, with air and anti-drone and anti-missile defense systems,” Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said Thursday. “Together with the Spanish and French, we will too provide assistance to Cyprus,” Crosetto added.

Prior to the outbreak of the conflict in the Middle East, we had 2,576 personnel in the area. “As a result of this situation, in recent days we have taken other measures: in Kuwait, a movement of 239 military personnel is underway towards Saudi Arabia: of the 321, 82 will remain. In Qatar, 7 of the 10 military personnel are reaching Saudi Arabia. In Bahrain, where we have 5 military personnel, we are withdrawing personnel. In Lebanon, we are carefully assessing the situation and are ready to respond to any need, including with naval personnel for possible evacuations,” Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said Thursday during a briefing to the Chamber of Deputies.

“The guiding principle of our commitment remains de-escalation. We want to absolutely avoid an expansion of the conflict. We are encouraging all parties to exercise maximum restraint, keeping channels of dialogue open with Iran, without betraying our position: Iran cannot acquire nuclear weapons and possess missile systems capable of posing an existential threat to Israel, the region, and Europe,” Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said Thursday during a session of the Chamber of Deputies.

“Iran cannot acquire nuclear weapons to threaten Israel, the region, and Europe,” Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said Thursday during a session of the Chamber of Deputies.

“I am in constant contact with the Cypriot Foreign Minister; it is a European Union country exposed in the region to which it is imperative to guarantee solidarity and assistance,” Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said during a session of the Chamber of Deputies.

“The potential blockage of the Strait of Hormuz is concerning. There has already been an increase in energy and commodity prices, and the government is working to provide economic support to the most vulnerable countries, as rising grain prices could lead to social tensions,” Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said during a session of the Chamber of Deputies.

Approximately 10,000 Italians have been helped to leave areas at risk following the Israeli-American operation against Iran and the subsequent Iranian retaliation. This was stated Thursday by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani while briefing the Chamber of Deputies on the developments in Iran and the Gulf. “Around 200 Italians with vulnerabilities returned this morning on two flights from the United Arab Emirates, one from Abu Dhabi and one from Dubai,” Tajani added, explaining that “the government is working tirelessly to follow our citizens in the region.”

“100,000 Italians are directly or indirectly involved in the areas” of the crisis. This was stated by Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani during a briefing to the Chamber of Deputies on the situation in Iran. “The safety of our citizens is the absolute priority. The Gulf task force has handled 14,000 calls and several thousand emails. The Italians helped to leave the risk areas have reached 10,000,” he added.

“There is a concrete risk of the conflict expanding” in the Middle East, following the Israeli-American operation against Iran and the subsequent Iranian response. This was stated by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani while briefing the Chamber of Deputies on the developments in Iran and the Gulf. “In recent hours, there has been a negative development” in the ongoing conflict, with “Iran conducting indiscriminate attacks,” he added Thursday, “also against Azerbaijan this morning.”

“The gravity of the situation requires a shared assumption of responsibility from all of us, government and parliament,” Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said Thursday during a session of the Chamber of Deputies on the situation in Iran.