Milan, 17 March (LaPresse) – " The decision is that the Atlanta and Aspides missions will retain their current mandate. The hope is that we can reinforce the presence of military ships in the Red Sea to increase the number of frigates already deployed to ensure the safety of maritime transport through the Suez Canal and the Red Sea. However, without changing the mandate, and therefore without going to Hormuz to carry out escort operations for oil tankers that need to cross the Strait". Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said this in an interview with Corriere della Sera. “The mission remains as it is”, “it is right that those who benefit from the Strait of Hormuz should help ensure that nothing bad happens”. But, as Tajani later reiterated, “we cannot get dragged into the war”. “ ‘The strengthening of Aspides is welcome news for Italy,’ but for the minister, ‘all 27 EU countries must participate, not just us.’ For the head of the Foreign Ministry, security in the Strait of Hormuz must be guaranteed ‘through enhanced dialogue. We must do everything possible to facilitate talks between the Americans and Iranians to reach an agreement that guarantees freedom of navigation.’
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