ROME — Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced on Thursday, March 5, 2026, that Italy is preparing to send military assistance to Gulf countries to counter the growing threat of Iranian aerial attacks. Speaking to the radio station RTL 102.5, Meloni stated that the mission is a strategic necessity to protect both regional allies and the significant Italian population stationed in the Middle East.
The Prime Minister confirmed that Italy’s decision aligns with recent moves by other European powers, including the United Kingdom, France, and Germany, who have already committed to bolstering the defensive capabilities of Gulf nations. “Italy intends to send assistance to Gulf countries, specifically in the field of defence and in particular air defence,” Meloni said, highlighting the deteriorating security situation following the recent escalation of the US-Iran conflict and subsequent strikes across the region.
Meloni emphasized that the deployment is rooted in a duty of care for Italian citizens. Currently, tens of thousands of Italians reside in the Gulf, and approximately 2,000 Italian troops are deployed across various missions in the region. “These are people we want, and must, protect,” she added. The assistance is expected to include advanced radar systems and surface-to-air missile batteries designed to intercept drones and cruise missiles, which have increasingly targeted civilian and energy infrastructure in recent days.
The announcement comes as the maritime and aerial conflict in the Middle East continues to widen, with the recent sinking of an Iranian warship in the Indian Ocean and retaliatory strikes reported in several neighbouring territories. Italy’s involvement marks a significant expansion of European military engagement in the crisis, aimed at stabilizing international energy markets and ensuring the safety of expatriate communities and peacekeeping forces.
