Italy will provide air-defence aid to Gulf states hit by Iranian strikes, citing the protection of its citizens and vital energy supplies.

ROME: Italy will send air-defence assistance to Gulf countries impacted by retaliatory Iranian strikes, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni (pic) announced.

She stated that Italy, alongside the UK, France and Germany, intends to provide this support to friendly nations.

“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 said in a radio interview.

She also emphasised that the Gulf region is vital for energy supplies to Italy and Europe.

Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani told parliament that strategic Gulf nations had formally requested Italy’s help to strengthen their air defence against attacks from Iran.

He noted that tens of thousands of Italian civilians and military personnel are in those regions.

The foreign ministry has so far assisted about 10,000 Italians in leaving the at-risk areas.

Defence Minister Guido Crosetto specified that the assistance would involve air defence, anti-drone and anti-missile systems.

He added that he had ordered Italy’s own air and missile defence network to be raised to its maximum protection level in coordination with NATO.

Separately, Crosetto confirmed Italy would send naval assets with France, Spain and the Netherlands to defend EU member Cyprus in the coming days.

When asked about the potential involvement of US bases in Italy, Meloni said they are currently authorised only for “non-bombing operations”.

She stated any change would require government and likely parliamentary consideration, but no such requests have been made to date.

 The Sun Malaysia