Italy has announced it will assist the United States and Israel in providing air defense support to Gulf nations facing Iranian drone attacks.
Speaking Thursday, Meloni said Italy will now contribute to defensive operations aimed at protecting Gulf states targeted by Iran, including the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Bahrain. She emphasized that Italy’s role will be limited to defensive support and will not include participation in offensive strikes against Iran.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni had initially distanced Italy from several European counterparts, declining to sign onto a joint statement issued by French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz calling for a halt to military operations and renewed peace talks with Tehran.
