Italy has volunteered to support Israel’s allies being targeted by Iran. The war that began last Saturday, with Israel and the US on one side against Iran, is slowly drawing in countries that were initially mere observers.
Italy to Defend Cyprus
When it became clear that Iran was hitting back at the US by targeting its assets in the Gulf states not involved in the war, France and Britain announced they were going to offer the necessary defense. Now Italy’s Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, has joined in to announce Italy’s willingness to use its naval ships in defense of Cyprus.
Iran has already hit some British assets in Cyprus, something that UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer addressed immediately in parliament.
Italian Defense Minister Evacuated
A military plane was used to evacuate Italy’s Minister of Defense, Mr. Guido Crosetto, over the weekend, as Israel first struck Iran. He was right in the middle of the potential war zone when it happened, as the US and Israel never gave their allies a heads-up. Crosetto was on a family holiday in the Middle East.
The US has some military bases in Italy, and although the country is not under direct threat from Iran, nothing about Iran’s strategy is certain anymore. The Prime Minister has announced that Italy’s support will extend to the Gulf states and will include air defense assets.
With other Western countries, such as Spain and Australia, having announced their readiness to support the Gulf states, there is no telling if someone else is going to come up in support of Iran. And who knows how that might impact the war?