Italy Denies Active Hormuz Mission Amid Naval Reports

(MENAFN) Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said Monday that Italy has not launched any mission connected to the Strait of Hormuz, despite ongoing reports about naval repositioning in the area.

“It’s one thing to bring the ships closer together and another to direct them directly towards Hormuz,” Crosetto told according to reports.

He explained that any operation specifically tied to the Strait of Hormuz would need “approval of a new mission,” including “a truce, then a legal framework, and finally parliamentary authorization.”

Crosetto noted that debate on the matter is expected to begin in parliament on Wednesday.

The minister also stressed that relocating vessels nearer to the broader region should not automatically be viewed as participation in a Hormuz-focused operation, saying such movements could still fall under already authorized missions.

The remarks come as several European governments continue discussions over maritime security around the strategically important waterway following heightened tensions across the Middle East.

The escalation began after the US and Israel launched attacks against Iran on Feb. 28, prompting retaliatory actions by Tehran targeting Israel and US-aligned countries in the Gulf region, along with the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

A ceasefire later came into effect on April 8 through mediation efforts led by Pakistan, although negotiations held in Islamabad did not succeed in securing a permanent deal. The truce was subsequently extended by US President Donald Trump without a defined expiration date.

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