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Italy is “not at war” in the Red Sea, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said, calling on the European Union to reinforce its naval mission protecting commercial shipping in the strategic waterway, according to Corriere della Sera.
Tajani was speaking after a Houthi strike on Saudi Arabia’s Taif airbase reportedly damaged an Italian F-2000 Eurofighter aircraft on the ground. The comments also followed statements by the Houthis that they were not at war with Italy.
Italy calls for stronger Aspides mission
“No, we are not at war,” Tajani told the Italian newspaper. He said the European Aspides mission had been established as a defensive operation to protect merchant vessels travelling through the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait from possible Houthi attacks.
Italy would continue to support the mission amid what Tajani described as a worsening situation in the strait. He urged EU members to renew and strengthen Aspides by providing additional naval units or contributing to its costs.
“Aspides absolutely must continue and be strengthened,” Tajani said, adding that around 40% of Italy’s commercial maritime traffic and 60% of goods exported to Asia pass through the Red Sea.
Saudi Arabia has faced a series of missile and drone attacks attributed to the Houthis in recent days as regional tensions have intensified. The group currently controls access to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
Mission funding to be discussed at UN meetings
Italy has been urging other countries for several months to contribute to Aspides, Tajani said. He plans to renew that appeal next week in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
The foreign minister is also expected to discuss the mission at an EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting, a G7 foreign ministers’ meeting and a gathering of the Rome Coalition for Food Security. The coalition, launched by Italy and Croatia, is also due to address freedom and safety of navigation.
Talks planned on critical minerals and regional conflicts
Tajani said he planned to meet US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to sign an agreement on raw materials aimed at securing supplies. The agreement would include the “Pax Silica” initiative on critical minerals, including rare earths.
On the conflict in Iran, Tajani said Italy did not support the war and favoured peace. Despite Rome’s criticism of Tehran, particularly over its nuclear programme, he said he would meet Iran’s foreign minister in New York.
Tajani also backed European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s proposal to make Canada an associated country of the EU, describing Canada as a strategic European partner and a member of NATO and the G7.
He said his address to the UN General Assembly would focus on cybersecurity, hybrid threats and artificial intelligence.
