Italy has stepped forward with military support for Gulf countries facing Iranian retaliatory strikes, deploying air defence systems while coordinating with European allies to safeguard Cyprus, as escalating Middle East tensions prompt Rome to prioritize regional stability and protect its citizens and energy interests.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced the initiative during an interview with RTL 102.5 radio, emphasizing Italy’s alignment with the United Kingdom, France, and Germany in providing assistance to the affected Gulf states.
“Italy, like the UK, France and Germany, intends to send aid to the Gulf countries,” Meloni stated.
She clarified the focus on defensive measures, adding: “We are clearly talking about defence, air defence, not just because they are friendly nations but because there are tens of thousands of Italians in that area and around 2,000 Italian soldiers that we must protect.”
Meloni also highlighted the strategic importance of the region, noting: “And the Gulf is vital for energy supplies for Italy and Europe.”
In a separate address to parliament, Defence Minister Guido Crosetto detailed that Italy, alongside France, Spain, and the Netherlands, would dispatch naval assets to defend EU member Cyprus “in coming days.”
Crosetto specified the Gulf assistance as “air defence, anti-drone and anti-missile systems.”
He further disclosed that he had ordered Italy’s air and missile defence network raised to its maximum protection level, in coordination with NATO.
Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, speaking to parliament that morning, revealed that certain strategic Gulf nations “have formally requested Italy’s support to strengthen their air defence capabilities against attacks coming from Iran.”
Tajani underscored the human stakes, stating: “Tens of thousands of Italians, civilians and military personnel” were in those regions.
He added that the foreign ministry had thus far assisted about 10,000 Italians in leaving areas at risk.
Regarding the three US military bases in Italy and their potential role in the conflict, Meloni addressed concerns in her radio interview.
She explained that these bases currently hold authorisation for “non-bombing operations,” and any alteration would require evaluation by her government, likely involving parliament.
“But to date, we have no requests in this regard,” Meloni affirmed, a point echoed by Crosetto in his parliamentary address.
Italy’s engagement in Middle Eastern security affairs traces back over a century, rooted in its colonial ambitions and evolving into a role as a stabilizing force in the post-World War II era. The Italo-Turkish War of 1911-1912 marked Italy’s early military foray into the region, when forces under Prime Minister Giovanni Giolitti seized Ottoman territories in Libya—then Cyrenaica and Tripolitania—establishing a colonial foothold that lasted until 1947. This conflict, involving the first aerial bombings in history, highlighted Italy’s Mediterranean aspirations, though post-World War I settlements largely sidelined Rome in favor of British and French mandates in the Levant.
The mid-20th century saw Italy pivot toward supporting Arab nationalist movements against Anglo-French dominance, fostering ties that endured into the Cold War. By the 1980s, Italy began active participation in multilateral operations, deploying troops to Lebanon in 1982 alongside France and the United States following Israel’s invasion, marking a shift toward Mediterranean security involvement. This evolved into significant contributions to UN peacekeeping, including the 2006 UNIFIL mission in Lebanon, where Italy committed 3,000 soldiers and assumed command, helping the EU provide nearly 8,000 troops overall.
Italy’s role intensified in the 1990s with contributions to Operation Desert Storm against Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait, deploying naval and air assets. In the post-9/11 era, Rome joined US-led coalitions, sending forces to Afghanistan and Iraq under Operation Ancient Babylon from 2003 to 2006, focusing on non-combat duties like reconstruction in Nasiriyah, where Italian troops suffered 36-69 casualties. More recently, Italy supported anti-ISIS efforts in Iraq and Syria, with deployments peaking in the 2010s.
Relations with Gulf countries have deepened through energy and defense cooperation. Italy imports hydrocarbons from the region, though not as heavily reliant as some European peers—capable of reactivating coal plants if supplies falter, as Energy Minister Gilberto Pichetto Fratin noted amid current tensions. Bilateral trade with Saudi Arabia alone averaged €400 million annually in arms exports from 2019 to 2024, including naval vessels and air defense systems, supporting Saudi Vision 2030’s localization goals. Recent pacts include $10 billion in energy deals with Saudi Arabia in 2025, focusing on renewables and hydrogen, and MoUs with the UAE on emissions reduction and clean energy.
US military bases in Italy—hosting 12,000-15,000 personnel—underscore Rome’s NATO commitments and role in Middle East operations. Key sites like Aviano Air Base (northeast Italy, home to F-16s for NATO missions), Sigonella Naval Air Station (Sicily, a hub for Mediterranean and African operations), and NSA Naples (headquarters for US Naval Forces Europe-Africa) have supported campaigns in Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, and beyond. These facilities, under bilateral agreements, enable rapid US projections but require Italian approval for expanded uses, as Meloni reiterated.
The Cyprus deployment aligns with EU defense initiatives, where Cyprus—non-NATO but reliant on European partners—has seen heightened support amid regional spillover. Recent events, including drone strikes on RAF Akrotiri (a British sovereign base on the island), prompted Greece to send F-16s and frigates, France a frigate and missile systems, and the UK anti-drone helicopters and HMS Dragon. Discussions on invoking the EU’s mutual defense clause (Article 42.7) emerged but remain unactivated, echoing its sole use after the 2015 Paris attacks. Cyprus has bolstered its capabilities through EU funds, securing €48 million for defense firms in 2025-2026, participating in projects worth €600 million under the European Defence Fund.
As the conflict evolves, Italy’s actions reflect a balanced approach: safeguarding nationals (with 10,000 evacuated), securing energy routes vital for Europe’s supply (Gulf oil transits 30 percent of global trade via the Strait of Hormuz), and reinforcing EU solidarity amid uncertainties.
