Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Wednesday made her strongest criticism yet of the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran, saying the intervention is part of a worrying pattern of military actions increasingly happening outside the framework of international law.
Speaking in front of parliament, Meloni said the strikes should be understood in the context of instability that is currently affecting the global order.
Across Europe, most governments have been reluctant to criticise the United States and Israel and have primarily called for restraint and the use of diplomacy to prevent further escalation of the situation.
Spain has, however, openly criticised the attacks.
Meloni, who has strong political ties with Donald Trump, also emphasised that Iran should not be allowed to develop nuclear weapons.
She said such a development would lead to the breakdown of the global nuclear non-proliferation system and could lead to dire consequences for international security.
According to her, a nuclear-armed Iran would put Italy and the European region at serious security risks.
The battle between the United States, Israel and Iran has now reached its twelfth day with the air strikes raging through the Middle East.
The fighting has also disrupted world energy markets, halting about one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas flows.
Addressing the Italian Senate, Meloni said the current crisis is similar to the Russian invasion of Ukraine which triggered a larger destabilisation of the international system.
Meloni also said that Italy has deployed air defence systems to countries in the Gulf that Iranian strikes targeted.
She said the move is for the protection of partner nations as well as thousands of Italian citizens living in the region as well as nearly 2,000 Italian troops currently stationed in the Gulf.
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