Italy, along with Spain, France, and the Netherlands, will deploy naval vessels to the Eastern Mediterranean to protect Cyprus from potential Iranian attacks, Italy’s Defense Minister Guido Crosetto announced Thursday The move represents a coordinated European response to secure the continent's southeastern flank amid the escalating regional conflict.
Speaking to the Italian parliament, Crosetto stated the naval assets would be sent "in the next few days" to shield the island nation from "further Iranian attacks" This deployment follows recent attacks that reportedly targeted a British military base on the island, though specific details of the incident remain unconfirmed
Among the potential Italian vessels for the mission is the Spartaco Schergat, a FREMM-class frigate currently participating in a NATO exercise in the Mediterranean According to a defense official, the frigate would need to return to its base for refueling before heading to Cyprus Details regarding the specific ships to be sent by Spain, France, and the Netherlands have not yet been made public.
The initiative was discussed in a recent call between Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and French President Emmanuel Macron, which focused on the broader security situation in both Cyprus and the Gulf region, according to an Italian government statement
Yasir Rai
