Italy rejects sending ships to patrol the Hormuz Strait in the absence of a U.N. mandate
Matteo Salvini, the Deputy Prime Minister of Italy, said that Italy would not send any ships to help 'police' the Hormuz Strait following the ceasefire agreement between the United States (US) and Iran (Iran), unless the United Nations gave its approval.
It is not on our agenda. Salvini told reporters that he had already stated he would not send ships without a United Nations-led initiative.
The U.S. and Israeli war against Iran has triggered a 'crisis in energy for the global economy, trapping huge volumes of oil and natural gas in the Gulf as?Tehran shut the Strait of Hormuz off to most vessels. This hit Europe and -Italy especially hard.
Some, such as Salvini's League, a far-right party, have called on Europe to reconsider resuming its energy purchases from Russia. These were stopped in response to Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine 2022.
Salvini has now retracted his position and said that it is not possible as long as there is a war in Ukraine.
He told the Foreign Press Association in Italy, "I hope a time soon comes when we can talk about reconstruction,?cooperation and partnerships, including energy.
Italy, like other NATO allies who are reluctant to support President Donald Trump's strike on Iran, denied last week permission to U.S. military planes to land at the Sigonella base in Sicily as they headed to the Middle East.
Salvini denied suggestions that the U.S. could disengage from Europe due to a'mounting dispute between Washington and European Capitals.
He said: "I do not believe that there is an imminent issue with NATO troop withdrawals in Europe."
(source: Reuters)
