Italy’s role in transatlantic relations with the United States has come under scrutiny following recent strikes by the U.S. And Israel in Iran, revealing a disconnect between Rome and Washington. The incident centers on Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto, who was reportedly on a family vacation in Dubai when the offensive began, without informing intelligence services. He later returned on a military plane, paying for his ticket to avoid criticism.
The situation highlights a shift in dynamics, particularly as Italy, under Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, had previously positioned itself as a key link between the U.S. And the European Union and a trusted partner of Donald Trump. However, the recent events suggest a diminished influence for Italy, with traditional powers like the United Kingdom, France, and Germany taking the lead. This diminished standing comes as regional tensions escalate following the strikes on Iran.
Meloni remained largely silent for days following the attacks, only issuing a statement on Monday expressing concern “over the general context, a crisis of international law,” and deeming Iran’s retaliatory strikes against neighboring countries “unjustified.” The war is unpopular in Italy, and her close relationship with Trump became a potential liability, especially if it required disagreeing with the former president.
Italy remained in a state of observation, a tactic known as temporeggiare, as European leaders addressed the attacks. A parliamentary appearance by Meloni was not scheduled until March 18, prolonging the uncertainty. On Thursday, five days after the start of hostilities, the situation became clearer.
“We are not at war and do not want to enter into war,” Meloni stated in a radio interview. She confirmed that the United States had not yet requested the leverage of its eight military bases on Italian soil, housing 34,000 U.S. Troops, and that any such request would require parliamentary approval. Any use of the bases would be limited to logistical support, not offensive actions.
Italy plans to send military aid to Gulf countries to bolster their air defenses, following the lead of the UK, France, and Germany. “Not only given that they are friendly nations, but because We find tens of thousands of Italians and 2,000 military personnel in that area that we must protect. And the Gulf is vital for supplies,” she added. Italy will likewise deploy a naval vessel to Cyprus, as Spain and other European countries are doing, reportedly a frigate.
The government’s caution is partly driven by the presence of approximately 100,000 Italian citizens in the Middle East, including tourists and residents, with around 10,000 already repatriated, according to the Foreign Ministry.
Meloni’s statements preceded appearances by Defense Minister Guido Crosetto and Foreign Affairs Minister Antonio Tajani before both chambers of Parliament to provide details and vote on a resolution supporting the government’s position. The resolution includes a reference to the availability of Italian bases to the U.S., as outlined in a 1954 agreement between the two countries.
Meloni drew a comparison to Spain’s stance regarding U.S. Bases: “everyone is adhering to bilateral agreements. The Spanish spokesperson stated yesterday that there is a bilateral agreement and that there will be no use of the bases outside of that agreement. The same applies to us,” she affirmed.
Italy’s center-left opposition, inspired by the position of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, is proposing a similar resolution in Italy, with the usual accusations against Meloni of being subservient to Trump. They also criticize her for speaking on the radio but not in Parliament, as she did not attend the session.
“Italy is not at war with anyone, has not been involved, and is only trying to manage and mitigate the consequences of a worrying conflict,” Crosetto repeated. He specified that Italy will send “defensive equipment, air defense, anti-drone and anti-missile” systems to Gulf countries. Italian media reports indicate the deployment of the Samp-T air defense system, utilizing Aster 30 missiles, from an Italian army base in Mantua to Kuwait or the United Arab Emirates. A base with Italian military aircraft has been stationed in Kuwait since 2014 as part of operations against ISIS, facilitating a quicker transfer.
Tajani defended Trump’s actions, asserting that it is “incontrovertible” that Iran was developing a nuclear bomb and that “the debate on international law is valid to a certain extent if someone is at risk of death.” Crosetto also acknowledged a violation of international law, stating, “No government in the world had been informed, not even the highest American command,” while also offering an explanation for his presence in Dubai.
