Italy Does Not Object the G7 Imposing New Sanctions on Israel’s Enemies

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani (Reuters)
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani (Reuters)
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Italy Does Not Object the G7 Imposing New Sanctions on Israel’s Enemies

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani (Reuters)
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani (Reuters)

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, said that his country, which currently holds the rotating presidency of the G7, does not mind the group imposing new sanctions on individuals participating in actions against Israel in the wake of the Iranian attack.

Tajani said fresh sanctions would need the backing of all the G7, which includes Italy, France, Germany, Canada, Japan, Britain and the United States. He also suggested that any new measures would be focused on individuals rather than whole nations.

“If we need to have more sanctions for people clearly engaged against Israel, supporting for example terrorism, supporting Hamas, it is possible to do it. But we need to be very serious and to work all together,” he told Reuters.

The Italian foreign minister described the Iranian attack as a “big mistake” for Tehran but “positive” for Israel, as it had revealed the efficiency of its air defenses that shot down most of the drones and missiles with help from the US, Britain, France and Jordan, Reuters reported.

The agency also quoted him as saying in English: “The message coming from Tehran on this, (is) going in the right direction. This is only one attack. Also the reaction of the Israeli government has been positive.”

The Italian minister had a phone call with his Iranian counterpart before the attack to urge caution.

“For us it is important to protect Italian soldiers” working in the area under the auspices of the United Nations, he said, adding that Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen had to stop attacks on ships in the Red Sea, which is vital to world trade.

Reuters reported that Tajani also reiterated that Italy was firmly opposed to any Israeli invasion of the southern Gaza city of Rafah and repeated his call for a ceasefire, while also calling on Hamas to set free all the Israeli hostages it took during the Oct. 7 attack.

He stressed that an Israeli attack on Iran would only create more hurdles to restoring stability in the region. His comments came ahead of a meeting of the G7 foreign ministers on April 17-19 on the Italian island of Capri.

“All together we want to protect Israel, but we want to achieve stability and peace,” he said, quoted by Reuters.



US Demands Clarity from Allies on Their Role in Potential War over Taiwan, FT Reports

Flags of US and China are seen in this illustration picture taken August 2, 2022. REUTERS/Florence Lo/Illustration/File Photo
Flags of US and China are seen in this illustration picture taken August 2, 2022. REUTERS/Florence Lo/Illustration/File Photo
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US Demands Clarity from Allies on Their Role in Potential War over Taiwan, FT Reports

Flags of US and China are seen in this illustration picture taken August 2, 2022. REUTERS/Florence Lo/Illustration/File Photo
Flags of US and China are seen in this illustration picture taken August 2, 2022. REUTERS/Florence Lo/Illustration/File Photo

The Pentagon is urging Japan and Australia to clarify what role they would play if the US and China went to war over Taiwan, the Financial Times reported on Saturday.

Elbridge Colby, the US under-secretary of defense for policy, has been pushing the matter during recent talks with defense officials of both countries, the report said, citing people familiar with the discussions.

According to the newspaper, the reported request caught both Tokyo and Canberra off guard, as the US itself does not offer a blank cheque guarantee to defend Taiwan, Reuters reported.

The US is Taiwan's most important arms supplier, despite a lack of formal diplomatic ties. Taiwan has faced increased military pressure from China, including several rounds of war games, as Beijing seeks to assert its sovereignty claims over the island. Taiwan rejects China's assertion of sovereignty.

Colby was deputy assistant secretary of defense for strategy and force development during President Donald Trump's first term. Colby is known for arguing that the US military should prioritize competition with China and shift its focus from the Middle East and Europe.