Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani and Defense Minister Guido Crosetto told lawmakers that Italy is preparing to move two mine-sweeping ships closer to the Strait of Hormuz as a preventive measure, while ruling out an immediate request for a new military mission, reports Anadolu.

Crosetto said the ships will be repositioned in stages, first in the eastern Mediterranean and then in the Red Sea, within the existing missions authorized by the parliament. “As a purely preventive measure, we are preparing minesweepers to be deployed relatively closer to the Straits,” he said.

Italian ministers sought to assure parliament that Italy is not expanding its military role without oversight, even as tensions threaten a key global shipping route.

“We do not want to seek authorization for a new military mission in the Persian Gulf,” Tajani said, adding that any eventual participation in a the international coalition will come “only after the end of hostilities”.

Crosetto emphasized that any new operation would require strict conditions. “A new military mission envisages first a real ceasefire, then a legal framework and finally the authorization of the Parliament”, he said, describing the situation as fragile and unstable.

The session focused on international efforts to restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. The ministers said that Italy is acting within the competences of the existing missions and is sharing the plans with maximum transparency. Crosetto emphasized that about 40 countries are considering contributing to the security of this maritime route, while 24 of them have expressed readiness to provide specialized capacities. Contributions include ships, support units and naval demining personnel from European and allied countries, along with existing deployments in the region.

He added that parallel initiatives, including one promoted by the US, are being developed in parallel with the broader effort and will need to be coordinated.

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Source: prizrenpost