Italy in the Hormuz crisis: diplomacy, naval missions, and food security

Antonio Tajani Minister of Foreign Affairs of Italy Since the outbreak of the conflict between Iran and the United States, Italy has mobilized alongside its European partners, the G7, and multilateral organizations to facilitate a cessation of hostilities, ensure the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and restore stability to the Middle East. Within this framework, our country has expressed its willingness to participate, once the conflict is over, in an international defensive coalition to restore freedom of navigation in the Strait. As I have reiterated in my recent address to the Italian Parliament's Committee, for our Government, the Hormuz blockade represents not merely a regional crisis, but a global shock destined to impact energy security, industrial competitiveness, and international economic balances. This is a particularly significant risk for all countries in the region, but also for an exporting nation like Italy, whose exports account for approximately 40% of its GDP. The Strait of Hormuz, as we know, is a strategic hub for global trade: almost 20% of the world's oil, a quarter of liquefied natural gas exports, and a significant share of the raw materials needed for international production chains pass through this waterway. The insecurity of trade routes and rising energy costs have already begun to affect European families and businesses. Despite the slowdown in global trade and the impact of tariffs, Italian exports still grew by 3.3% in 2025, confirming how fundamental the stability of maritime routes is to the national economy. What concerns us, however, is not only the impact on domestic industry. The consequences for the most vulnerable countries in Africa and the wider Mediterranean are also a cause for concern. In fact, around 30% of global fertilizer exports, essential for the food security of many vulnerable economies, pass through the Strait of Hormuz. The case of Sudan, which continues to be affected by one of the world's most severe humanitarian crises, is emblematic. Rising energy and fertilizer prices could jeopardize agricultural production, fuel inflation, and worsen instability, shortages, and migration flows to Europe. Therefore, in early May, I convened a meeting with my Croatian counterpart—the current chair of MED9—inviting thirty countries from the Mediterranean, the Middle East, and the Balkans, as well as the FAO, to launch the “Rome Coalition for Food Security and Access to Fertilizers,” a permanent forum to identify immediate and concrete solutions. Our interpretation is that the Hormuz crisis reflects a broader conflict, rooted in decades of tensions between the United States, Israel, and Iran. In this context, we continue to maintain that the diplomatic path is the only possible one, and we reiterate that Tehran cannot acquire nuclear weapons or missile systems capable of further destabilizing the region. We cannot forget the repression of youth protests in Iran, brutally suppressed by the regime. This repression continues today through arrests and executions of opposition members. In recent weeks, Tehran has indiscriminately attacked residential areas, hotels, hospitals, and energy infrastructure in various Gulf countries. These attacks continue today, and we have strongly condemned them, expressing our solidarity with the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and Saudi Arabia. On the diplomatic front, I have been in constant contact with my friend, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, whom I received in Rome a few days ago. We agreed on the need to preserve the transatlantic bond and to work together for international peace and stability. I also reaffirmed my support for the negotiations taking place in Pakistan, which we consider essential to keeping a diplomatic path open. I have also spoken with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, emphasizing the need for Tehran to negotiate in good faith and resume cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency, while simultaneously rebuilding positive relations with the Gulf countries. In recent weeks I also traveled to China to meet with Foreign Minister Wang Yi, to whom I requested a more active role for Beijing in mediating with Tehran. At the same time, Rome maintains direct contact with regional partners in the Gulf, considered indispensable interlocutors for any lasting diplomatic solution and for the future restoration of freedom of navigation in the Strait. At the operational level, Italy is ready to contribute the experience gained in European naval missions in the Red Sea, the Indian Ocean, and the Mediterranean. In particular, we believe it is necessary to strengthen the European ASPIDES mission, which currently involves only Italy and Greece in patrolling the Red Sea to ensure maritime transport. In the multilateral mission to be launched in the Strait of Hormuz, Italy could contribute to mine clearance operations and the safety of commercial shipping. We believe, however, that lasting peace in the Middle East cannot exist without the stability of Lebanon. The Italian government supports the US-mediated dialogue between Israel and Beirut and has offered to host direct talks between the parties. During my mission to Lebanon last April, I reiterated to President Joseph Aoun Italy's support for a roadmap that transforms the current truce into a genuine peace process. Washington and Brussels also consider Rome an increasingly central player in strengthening Beirut's stability, a topic I also addressed in my recent meeting at the Ministry with the Lebanese Foreign Minister. We are also closely monitoring the safety of our military personnel serving in the UNIFIL mission, the bilateral MIBIL mission, and the Italian-led Military Technical Committee for Lebanon. At the same time, we will continue to call for the protection of Christian communities in the country, following the violence perpetrated by extremist Israeli settlers against villages in southern Lebanon, including those with a Christian majority. The issue of violence perpetrated by extremist Israeli settlers was also addressed in Brussels, where European ministers recently launched new, severe sanctions against them. In the same session, we approved further sanctions against Hamas terrorists, whose disarmament remains an absolute priority. Italy continues to closely monitor the situation in Gaza and the Palestinian Territories, maintaining an active role in humanitarian aid and future reconstruction, with the goal of achieving two states capable of living together in peace and security. Within this framework also lies the recent arrival in Italy of 72 Palestinian students who have been awarded scholarships to Italian universities: an investment we consider part of the training of the future Palestinian leadership.

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