Italy, in consultation with France, Spain, and the Netherlands, is sending naval assets to defend EU member Cyprus “in the coming days,” Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said on Thursday.
Prime Minister Meloni says that “Italy, like Britain, France and Germany, intends to send help” to Iran’s neighboring countries, adding that Italy will assist the countries with air defense as well as anti-drone and anti-robot systems.
She calls the Middle East crucial to the energy supply for Italy and Europe, and emphasizes the decision was also made to protect the tens of thousands of Italians in the area.
France also announced that the US has been allowed to use a French air base in the region, but emphasized that this does not apply to fighter jets or other aircraft directly involved in the war.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer initially refused to allow US use of British military bases, but then agreed to the US request to do so for a "specific and limited defensive purpose."
