Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto revealed before Parliament on Thursday that Italy, Spain, France and the Netherlands will send naval assets to protect Cyprus in the coming days, after a British military base on the island was attacked by Iranian drones on Monday. While Giorgia Meloni confirmed that Italy will respond to requests for assistance from Gulf countries seeking to obtain air defense equipment to confront Iranian air raids, while at the same time ensuring the protection of Italians on the ground.
Published on: 05/03/2026 - 15:26 Last updated: 05/03/2026 - 15:30
As the US-Israeli war on Iran enters its sixth day, Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said before Parliament on Thursday that Italy, Spain, France and the Netherlands will send naval assets in the coming days to protect Cyprus, following the Iranian air strikes, amid concerns for the safety of citizens and forces in the region as well as energy security.
On Monday, an Iranian-made drone targeted a British Royal Air Force base on the island, and this comes within the framework of the American and Israeli air war against Tehran.
The scope of the conflict extended to Asia to include regions other than the Gulf states, which led to turmoil in global markets and prompted thousands of stranded tourists and residents to try to flee the Middle East.
In addition, right-wing Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said that Italy will respond to requests for assistance from Gulf states seeking air defense equipment to confront Iranian air raids, while at the same time ensuring the protection of Italians on the ground.
Read also: Live: France, Italy, and Greece will coordinate the deployment of military equipment in the Mediterranean
"People we must protect"
Meloni said on a radio station today, "These are people we want, and must, protect." For his part, Defense Minister Guido Crozetto stated before the House of Representatives that his country had also raised the level of preparedness of its national air defenses to the highest level. He added, "When faced with a reckless reaction, we expect everything and anything," referring to Iranian retaliatory strikes this week.
He stated that Rome would send ships to protect Cyprus in cooperation with some European allies. Sources told Reuters this week that supplies to Gulf countries may include a SAMB/T surface-to-air missile system, but no final decision has been taken yet. The government did not clarify which countries would receive this aid.
Foreign Minister Antonio Taiani told deputies that Italy has so far helped about 10,000 of its citizens to leave the region, where tens of thousands of Italians live, and more than 2,500 soldiers had been deployed before the outbreak of the conflict.
It is noteworthy that during the radio interview, Meloni touched on the possibility of using American military bases on Italian soil, saying that Rome had not received any request in this regard, but that it would refer it to Parliament if it came. Italy hosts military bases used by the United States under agreements dating back to 1954, which have been modernized over time. Under those agreements, Meloni said there are existing technical mandates for logistical work and support operations that do not include the use of force.
France 24/Reuters
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