(Adnkronos) – Italy and the United States are “united by an unbreakable bond” and Rome fully backs diplomacy as “the only way” to de-escalate the damaging Middle East conflict and ensure freedom of navigation, foreign minister Antonio Tajani stated on Friday after talks with US counterpart Marco Rubio.
“Welcomed US Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the foreign ministry. Italy and the US are united by an unbreakable bond, which is also strengthened by the Italian-American community,” Tajani wrote on X.
“We confirmed the centrality of the transatlantic bond and our shared willingness to work together for peace, growth, and international stability,” the post continued.
“I reiterated Italy’s full support for diplomacy as the only path to avoid further escalation in the Middle East and ensure freedom of international navigation”, the post went on.
Turning to the crucial Strait of Hormuz shipping conduit, which Iran has closed since the US and Israel began strikes against the country six weeks ago, Tajani reaffirmed Italy’s willingness to take part in international naval patrols of the waterway in the event of a peace deal to end the current war.
“In Hormuz, when conditions permit, we are ready to contribute to a multilateral, defensive naval initiative to ensure freedom of navigation,” the post stated.
The post also referred to the Rome Coalition on fertiliser access and food security in Hormuz, which Tajani launched on Wednesday at the foreign ministry with Croatian counterpart Gordan Grlic-Radman following discussions with representatives of 40 countries, partners and international organisations.
The coalition “aims to send a concrete signal of international cooperation to protect the most vulnerable populations and ensure stability in global food markets,” read the post
“Italy is at the forefront in supporting the US-facilitated dialogue between Lebanon and Israel,” Tajani said, referring to the ceasfire in the war with Iran-backed Lebanese armed group Hezbollah announced by US president Donald Trump on 16 April .
“We are working to consolidate the ceasefire and strengthen the capabilities of Lebanon’s armed forces – starting with territorial control, countering all illicit trafficking and money laundering with a view to disarming Hezbollah,” the post underlined.
“We are also working together with the US for political stability and growth in Latin America, a priority and strategic region for both our countries,” the post concluded.
