Italy plans naval deployment to Cyprus, air‑defence aid for Gulf after Iranian strikes
Italy plans to dispatch naval assets to help protect Cyprus and prepare air‑defence support for Gulf states after Iranian air strikes, the government said Thursday, citing concern for the safety of citizens and troops as well as for energy security.
As the U.S.–Iran war entered its sixth day, the conflict has widened beyond Gulf states and into Asia, convulsing global markets and prompting thousands of stranded tourists and residents to try to flee the Middle East. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said Italy would respond to aid requests from Gulf nations seeking air‑defence equipment to counter Iranian air strikes, while also looking to protect Italians on the ground.
"These are people we want to, and must, protect," she told radio station RTL 102.5. In an address to the lower house of parliament, Defence Minister Guido Crosetto said Italy had lifted its national air defences to the highest level.
Referring to Iran's retaliatory strikes this week, he added, "When faced with a reckless reaction, we can expect anything and everything." He said Rome would send vessels to protect Cyprus along with some European allies. According to sources, supplies to Gulf nations may include surface‑to‑air missile SAMP/T batteries, though a final decision had not yet been made.
The government did not clarify which nations would receive the aid. and more than 2,500 troops were deployed before the conflict began. Opposition lawmakers complained that Meloni did not appear in parliament to discuss the crisis, with centrist lawmaker Benedetto Della Vedova calling her absence unacceptable.
During her radio interview, Meloni also addressed the possible use of U.S. military bases on Italian soil, saying Rome had not received any such request but would involve parliament if one came. Italy hosts bases used by the United States under agreements dating back to 1954 that have been updated over time.
Under those accords, she said, technical authorisations are in place for logistics and so‑called non‑kinetic operations, which she described as non‑bombing activities.