Italy’s defense minister said discussions are underway to expand the European Union’s Red Sea naval mission, Aspides, to include the Strait of Hormuz, warning that Iran’s missile and nuclear ambitions pose a global threat.
In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said the EU is considering widening the mandate of its “Aspides” mission to protect maritime navigation beyond its current area of operations.
“The discussions aim to allow the European Union to extend maritime security operations, including the protection of the Strait of Hormuz,” he underlined.
However, Crosetto stressed that any such effort would require a broader international coalition, noting that Asian economies depend more heavily on the strategic waterway.
“This alliance goes far beyond Europe,” he noted. “Given the strait’s vital importance to Asia, it is only fair that Asian countries assume greater responsibility.”
Saudi and Gulf role
Crosetto praised Saudi Arabia’s handling of Iranian attacks, which he described as “provocative,” calling Riyadh’s response “extremely serious and important.”
“From the beginning, Saudi Arabia worked to prevent escalation,” he said. “It defended itself without being drawn into retaliation and helped create the conditions that now allow us to believe the war may be over.”
He continued that the conflict underscored a key lesson for Gulf states: that peace depends on credible defense and deterrence.
“They were attacked despite not taking hostile action,” he noted. “Even if calm returns, there is no guarantee Iran’s behavior will not change again.”
The minister added that the strikes, including on energy infrastructure and desalination plants, showed that civilian sites must be protected alongside military assets.
Growing defense ties
Crosetto said defense cooperation between Italy and Saudi Arabia has accelerated in recent years, particularly in industrial partnerships.
He said: “Italy does not simply sell. We aim to build joint development partnerships fully aligned with Vision 2030.”
He pointed to a recent satellite agreement and ongoing talks covering air defense, naval systems, aviation and helicopters.
“Our cooperation goes beyond transferring production to include technology transfer and exchange,” he remarked.
Italy also offered support during the conflict, deploying defensive systems against missiles and drones.
“We assisted friendly countries facing unjustified aggression,” he said, stressing that the support was not commercial.
Hormuz must remain open
Crosetto firmly rejected any suggestion that Iran could impose transit fees or restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz, saying: “It is absolutely unacceptable for Iran to impose any fees or constraints. The strait must remain a free passage.”
He warned that allowing countries to weaponize strategic waterways would set a dangerous precedent.
“Otherwise, others could follow — from the Houthis to states controlling the Strait of Malacca, the Panama Canal or Gibraltar. That would be sheer madness,” he stressed.
Iran and regional security
Crosetto said Italy maintains communication channels with Tehran but acknowledged ties are limited. “Our relations with Iran are not particularly strong. The issue today is identifying who our real counterpart is.”
He argued that power in Iran is increasingly concentrated in the hands of the Revolutionary Guard Corps, making diplomacy more difficult.
“They represent one of the main obstacles to peace,” he said.
The minister also warned that Iran’s military capabilities extend beyond the region, saying: “As Iran has targeted Riyadh, Doha or Dubai, it could target Rome, Paris or Berlin tomorrow. This is unacceptable.”
He added that Iran obtaining nuclear weapons would be a threat “not only to Israel, but to the entire world.”
NATO and European defense
Asked about concerns over NATO’s future following remarks by US President Donald Trump, Crosetto expressed confidence in the alliance.
“NATO will endure for a very long time,” he said. “It is an added value for both Europe and the United States.”
He stressed that recent conflicts have reshaped Europe’s understanding of deterrence, highlighting the importance of coordination among allies.
“The broader and more interconnected defense becomes, the stronger it is,” the minister emphasized, calling for a greater European role alongside NATO, including non-EU countries such as Türkiye, Ukraine and Norway.
Drones
Crosetto said Italy is studying recent conflicts — from Ukraine to the Gulf — to reassess national security risks.
He argued that while the war in Ukraine appears conventional, fought in trenches reminiscent of World War I, it is fundamentally modern due to the widespread use of drones.
“Drones are now the most used weapons and account for a large share of losses,” he stated.
By contrast, the Gulf conflict has been largely aerial and missile-based, with drones — increasingly enhanced by artificial intelligence — transforming defense strategies.
The minister remarked that future defense systems must be multilayered to counter evolving threats.
