Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani has raised alarms over regional energy security and trade stability as tensions between Israel and Iran escalate, urging both countries to resume negotiations and keep critical maritime routes open.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani on Monday held urgent phone calls with counterparts in Qatar, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Israel, expressing deep concern over the economic and security fallout of intensifying hostilities between Israel and Iran.
Tajani highlighted the potential disruption of oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz — a vital passage for nearly 20 million barrels of oil per day — as a major threat to global energy markets and Italy’s export-driven economy, which relies on international maritime trade for 40% of its GDP.
“The Minister also raised the issue of the economic effects of military operations throughout the region,” the Italian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
In his conversation with Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Tajani was briefed on the heightened risks to roughly 10,000 foreign technicians working on offshore oil platforms. Al Thani warned of the dangers they face amid possible military clashes in the Gulf.
Tajani also discussed maritime infrastructure and oil export operations in a call with Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein. He praised Iraq’s moderate stance and expressed hope Baghdad would push Tehran back to the negotiating table on nuclear and security matters.
A similar message was shared with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, as the two diplomats reviewed potential economic fallout and stressed the importance of protecting international technicians working in regional oil facilities.
Meanwhile, Tajani personally appealed to both Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar and Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian. In separate statements posted to X, he urged Israel to resume negotiations and called on Iran to keep the Strait of Hormuz open and ensure the safety of Italian nationals.
"The Italian government once again calls on the parties involved in the conflict to return to dialogue," Tajani said, adding that Italy “reaffirms its opposition to military-oriented nuclear research in Iran.”
In his post about the call with Saar, Tajani reiterated Italy's commitment to protecting Israeli diplomatic sites and Jewish places of worship within Italy. He also announced Italy would increase its humanitarian efforts in Gaza.
Tensions have surged since Friday when Israel conducted coordinated strikes on Iranian military and nuclear sites. Tehran responded with missile attacks, triggering fears of wider regional escalation.
So far, Iran has reported 224 dead and more than 1,000 injured. Israeli officials say at least 24 have died and hundreds more have been wounded in the ongoing exchanges.
The U.S. will impose unprecedented measures on Iran in order to economically isolate the country, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has said...
Georgia could gain a direct electricity link to Europe under plans for a new overland energy corridor connecting Azerbaijan, Georgia, Türkiye ...
Türkiye has unveiled plans for joint military exercises and defence production with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan under a new security pact that i...
Flights at Catania airport in Sicily will remain suspended until early Friday as ash from Mount Etna continues to disrupt air travel, following hundreds of cancellations and diversions over the past week.
Hundreds of flights have been cancelled or rerouted at Catania Airport over the past week as ash from Mount Etna’s ongoing eruption continues to disrupt air travel in Sicily.
Iran says the Strait of Hormuz remains under its control, rejecting U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim of “total control” over the strategic waterway and insisting it will not reopen until Washington fulfils its commitments under an interim deal.
The U.S. will impose unprecedented measures on Iran in order to economically isolate the country, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has said.
Russia has accused Ukraine of threatening global grain supplies after recent strikes on Black Sea agricultural infrastructure, while Moscow carried out a new overnight attack on Ukraine’s major Danube port of Izmail.
Iran and Afghanistan are seeking closer cooperation in agriculture, livestock and irrigation during a three-day Iranian ministerial visit to Kabul, as both sides look to strengthen trade and rural economies.
At least 437 civilians were killed and 2,610 injured in Ukraine in July, according to UN investigators, marking the highest monthly civilian casualty toll since March 2022.
Record rainfall in Japan killed eight people and stranded thousands of travellers at Tokyo's Narita Airport on Friday, as flooding disrupted transport and cut power to 20,000 homes.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 14th of August, covering the latest developments.
Ukraine’s attacks on Russian ports, refineries and shipping infrastructure are putting Moscow’s energy exports under growing pressure and disrupting key trade routes, raising concerns over commercial shipping and global food supplies.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment