(Adnkronos) – The interim peace accord signed this week between the United States and Iran gives Italy’s economy “some breathing room” but as shipping resumes through the key Strait of Hormuz waterway the cost of oil is set to fall, meaning consumer prices must come down too, foreign minister Antonio Tajani said Friday, warning against “speculation”.
“The fact that a ceasefire has been reached and that this initial agreement has been signed, which will then need to be fleshed out over the next 60 day, allows us to breathe a sigh of relief,” foreign Tajani said.
“Above all, the accord gives our economy some breathing room,” Tajani added, speaking on the sidelines of an event at the foreign ministry to promote safe travel abroad.
On Wednesday – the date of the interim accord’s signing – the first Italian ship passed through the Strait of Hormuz and set sail for China and the East, Tajani noted.
“This means that the cost of oil will eventually come down. We are monitoring the situation to ensure there is no speculation at this time… We’re telling the oil companies: it’s time to return things to the way they were before. Since the price per barrel is falling, the price for consumers must also fall – so there must be no speculation.”
Turning to the question of an international mission to de-mine and patrol the Strait of Hormuz, Tajani reiterated the government’s position that Italian ships can only take part in any future mission if it results from an international agreement.
“Italy’s participation in any potential mission must be part of an international mission resulting from an international agreement: either a United Nations or a European Union decision, or a broad-based multilateral agreement,” Tajani continued.
“We are ready to do our part when necessary; right now, it still seems too early to me because the ceasefire needs to be consolidated,” he said.
“Meanwhile, I hope that as many merchant vessels as possible can set sail; we are working to get another two or three Italian ships through…the important thing now is that the Strait of Hormuz be open to shipping and maritime traffic can resume.”
