Meloni said to deploy

Paris (dpa) — Italy is ready to make naval units available to secure shipping in the Strait of Hormuz off the Iranian coast, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said in Paris on Friday.

Meloni made the statement after talks in the French capital about a possible military deployment in the strait, which is vital to the world’s oil markets.

Iran and the United States are currently locked in an uneasy ceasefire aimed at ensuring mutually acceptable oil exports through the narrow waterway.

However, any deployment must have parliamentary approval under Italy’s constitutional requirements, Meloni said.

The conference at the Élysée Palace was initiated by French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

Meloni said to deploy

In addition to Meloni, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz was also present, while dozens of other countries and international organizations participated via video link. Merz said Germany is willing to participate in the multinational mission but would prefer US participation, while Macron has argued for an operation that does not involve the warring parties.

Meloni described the initiative by Macron and Starmer as “extremely important” and said she should therefore attend in person.

After weeks of a blockade due to the Iran war, the leadership in Tehran said after the start of the Paris conference that it would reopen the Strait of Hormuz to oil tankers and merchant ships.

Meanwhile, the US intends to maintain its own naval blockade, which, as President Donald Trump stressed, only affects ships with a port of origin or destination in Iran.