Italian Foreign Minister to Meet Iranian Counterpart in New York Amid Red Sea Tensions

According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced on Sunday that Italy is not engaged in warfare in the Red Sea. Addressing questions about a recent incident involving an Italian fighter jet and assertions from Yemeni forces that they are not in conflict with Italy, Tajani stated, “No, we are not at war.” Tajani further clarified in an interview with the Italian newspaper ‘Corriere della Sera’ that the European mission ‘Aspides’ is a defensive operation designed to safeguard commercial vessels transiting the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait from potential attacks by Yemeni forces.

He indicated that Italy will continue its support for this mission, citing the escalating situation in the strait, and urged the European Union to extend and strengthen its mandate. Tajani emphasized Italy’s significant strategic interests, noting that 40% of Italy’s total commercial maritime transport and 60% of its exports to Asia traverse the Red Sea.

Regarding the United States’ regional provocations and its antagonistic stance towards Tehran, the Italian official commented, “In a conflict that we do not support, we are proponents of peace.” He confirmed that despite Italy’s critical position on Tehran, he will hold a meeting with Iran’s Foreign Minister, Seyed Abbas Araghchi, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.