Italy preparing to move two warships to the Strait of Hormuz
Italy has deployed two minesweepers to the Strait of Hormuz as part of an international mission involving several European countries.
The announcement came from Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto on Wednesday when he said that two minesweepers left Sicily as part of an international mission that also includes Britain, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands.
Minister Crosetto has pointed out that the two minesweepers would only be deployed in case of a lasting truce in the region.
The matter here is that the two minesweepers can only operate under security conditions, meaning that a truce won't suffice.
A lasting peace is needed.
Guido Crosetto, Italian Defence Minister
Obviously, there is a strong international pressure on Italy coming from the usual suspects, namely the United States, and this pressure extends to all other parts involved in the mission. Italy simply cannot say no to Washington.
Maurizio Salustro, Former UN, EU International Mission
Italy's opposition parties have been very critical of the government's move, stressing that the decision to deploy two Italian minesweepers in the proximity of the Hormuz Strait came too early, considering that an agreement between Iran and the US to end the war seems to be far from being reached.
Press TV has reached the only Italian opposition lawmaker aboard the new Freedom Flotilla coalition aid convoy, which is currently sailing toward the Gaza Strip, and has asked him about the two Italian minesweepers moving towards the Persian Gulf.
He is increasingly becoming an accomplice in a plot that doesn't have anything to do with safeguarding the interests of the Italians, and this tells you a lot about the state of democracy in our country.
Western suprematism [sic] extends everywhere, in Iran, in Venezuela, it's just about violence and aggression, and unfortunately, Italy always sides with the violent ones.
Dario Carotenuto, Italian Lawmaker
The two Italian minesweepers departed on Thursday from the Sicilian port of Augusta and are now bound for Djibouti.
Iran has warned of a decisive and immediate response to any deployment of military vessels by European countries in the Strait of Hormuz, stressing that the Islamic Republic alone holds the authority to maintain security in the strategic maritime corridor.
Nakba Day rally at US Congress
No place for Yanks
Faith leaders hold ‘Moral Monday’ rally in Washington to decry Trump's 'unholy war’ in West Asia
Ex-President Raeisi had 'untiring spirit', put service first: Top commander
‘People’s president’: Ebrahim Raeisi’s legacy of service, sacrifice, and strategic vision
Italian naval deployment to Hormuz
Judiciary chief: Martyr Raeisi dedicated himself to serving Iranian people
Citing 1953 Anglo-American coup, Iran condemns decades of US hostility
VIDEO | Paris students rally behind Teba Nezar on trial over supporting Palestine
VIDEO | Pakistani lawmakers pay tribute to Iran’s late president Ebrahim Raeisi
VIDEO | World Central Kitchen downsizes operations in Gaza amid severe humanitarian crisis
PressTV NEWSLETTER
now
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
