The world in tension
Following the Iranian attack on Israel on October 1, the risk of an escalation seems increasingly imminent. In the wake of Tehran’s offensive, which launched 180 ballistic missiles near the capital Tel Aviv “in response to the killings of Ismail Haniyeh, Hassan Nasrallah, and Abbas Nilforoushan,” Israeli President Netanyahu threatened Iran, declaring that it “will pay the consequences” for having “made a big mistake.” The U.S. National Security Advisor also condemned the attack, announcing “severe consequences” and specifying that “we will work with Israel to ensure that happens.” In fact, talks in Tel Aviv are already hinting at a possible counteroffensive, with potential targets being Iran’s oil facilities or nuclear program installations.
Italy remains cautious, prudent but ready to intervene. This week, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani and Defense Minister Guido Crosetto outlined the Italian government’s stance during a hearing before the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committees of the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate.
“The opening of the Lebanese front and Iran’s direct intervention have inevitably increased the risk of a large-scale regional conflict,” said Tajani. “However, the escalation of the past few hours urges us even more to work for peace and dialogue. There is still an opportunity to avoid a war that could engulf the entire Middle East. We appeal to the responsibility of all regional actors.”
Tajani, along with Minister Crosetto, participated in the emergency summit called at Palazzo Chigi by the Prime Minister following the Iranian missile attack on Israel, an attack that was strongly condemned by the Italian government.
The Italian government, also as the current President of the G7, is working on all fronts. The governmental committee has been convened on a permanent basis to constantly monitor the situation’s evolution and promptly adopt the necessary measures. Italy is prepared to take any initiative to ensure the safety of our citizens, with plans underway to meet their requests by increasing connections, including charter flights and other options being examined with the Ministry of Defense.
“We are working with conviction,” Tajani concluded, “to prevent the entire region from falling into the abyss of a generalized war, a catastrophe that no one would be able to control, which would bring death and devastation for years. Achieving a ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon is crucial to making room for diplomacy and bringing the entire region back to a path of dialogue and stability. It is a complex process, but it is a result we can achieve if all parties fully commit and act responsibly. The diplomatic path is the only one that can lead to lasting results and stop a spiral of violence and instability that has already lasted far too long.”
These are tense hours, with the world’s eyes fixed on the Middle East. The windows of Western diplomatic offices remain lit late into the night.
