Tajani: 'Iran on nukes has crossed red line and must be stopped'

In the early afternoon, the prime minister brought together half of the government and the heads of the services via video link-up for an update on the new crisis in the Middle East, which Tajani has been following since last night. The call, which lasted about an hour, was reportedly also attended by the other deputy prime minister, Matteo Salvini, along with Defence Minister Guido Crosetto, Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi, Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti and the undersecretaries of the presidency Giovanbattista Fazzolari and Alfredo Mantovano, who is also the delegated authority for the services.

In the course of the meeting, a note issued by Palazzo Chigi at the end of the meeting reads, "the IAEA reports that found Iran in violation of its obligations under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons were noted with concern. In this context, full support was reaffirmed for the negotiations between the United States and Iran for an agreement on Iran's nuclear programme, as witnessed by the two rounds of negotiations hosted in Rome, and it was emphasised that a diplomatic solution must remain the priority objective".

'The Italian government,' the document goes on to say, 'will continue to work with all partners to promote de-escalation and to best guarantee the safety of Italian citizens and military personnel present in the region. Coordination is convened on a permanent basis to ensure constant monitoring of the situation so that any measures that prove necessary can be taken at any time'.

Now the Italian government hopes that those negotiations, also hosted in Rome, can be resumed in order to reach an agreement on the Iranian nuclear issue anyway. That would avert further escalation of the crisis. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has reportedly held a series of telephone talks with international leaders following the crisis in Iran. The PM heard from US President Donald Trump, German President Friedrich Merz and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. These contacts with leaders, it is explained, are preparatory to phone calls to be held in the afternoon with key regional Middle Eastern players and are part of the intense diplomatic activity underway to coordinate the international community's response to the crisis.

Reinforcing security devices for all sensitive targets that can be traced back to the countries involved in the current crisis, as well as further refining and strengthening all prevention activities. This is what was reportedly decided at the National Committee for Public Order and Security that was held today and chaired by Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi at the Viminale. The meeting, to take stock of the repercussions on public order and security in our country resulting from the crises in the Middle East, was attended by the heads of the police forces, intelligence services and the various apparatuses that guarantee security in the country.

"The scenario that opened up did not surprise us, we expected it. Another front has opened up and we did not need other fronts at this time'. So said Defence Minister Guido Crosetto, speaking about Israel's attack on Iran at the 'Entrepreneur Festival' organised by Confimprenditori.

On the opposition side, PD secretary Elly Schlein said: 'We follow with concern the dramatic escalation in the Middle East after Israel's unilateral attack on Iran. We call on the government to take urgent action in all multilateral fora to encourage de-escalation, resume diplomatic efforts and avert a widening of the war with incalculable consequences".

Harsh on social media the comment of the leader of the Five Star Movement. "In addition to the genocide of Palestinians, now the attack on Iran: is anyone going to stop the criminal Netanyahu," said Giuseppe Conte, "or are we going to leave it up to him to drag us all into a conflict with devastating and unpredictable effects without even blinking an eye? What will Europe stammer out this time? Will it once again take refuge in the mad race for rearmament and the incredible increase in military expenditure, incapable as it is of expressing a 'policy' that is such? Will we wait to see what is the position of the US, which continues in its ambiguous policy of full political and military coverage of Netanyahu, occasionally pretending to be 'sorry' for his actions on Gaza and now against Iran?'"

The reaction of the Union of Italian Jewish Communities was of a different tone: "We are following the developments of the Israeli night attack on the Iranian nuclear threat and the impact of the Iranian retaliation on Israel and its population. Even in our Communities there is maximum alertness in liaison with the forces of law and order to whom we reiterate our deep appreciation. The Italian Jewish Communities are at Israel's side, to reaffirm the right of the Jewish State to defend its existence". The Union of Italian Jewish Communities also recalls "the danger posed by Iran, a source of serious destabilisation of democracy even in Europe: Iran and its allies coordinate and finance cells and branches of terrorism and Islamic radicalisation even in our countries".

Security around the Ghetto and other sensitive targets in Rome has also been raised. Even though security measures have been raised to the highest levels for some time now, the police headquarters let it be known that 'a focus has been opened on various fronts - informative, investigative and vigilance - that the offices in charge are also implementing in order to adopt possible measures should it become necessary to further raise the level of protection of the targets'.

A level that is already high with regard to both the diplomatic offices and interests of the US, Israel's historical ally, and those of Iran. Some measures, given the new scenario of war in the Middle East, then come directly from the authorities of Netanyahu's government, which has ordered the closure of its embassies around the world and also advises all Israelis abroad to provide updates on their location and situation. And Italy is no exception: "the embassy is closed to the public, I believe we will reopen next week", announced the Israeli ambassador in Rome, Jonathan Peled, also thanking Italy and the police for the "assistance and protection" provided to the embassy.

During the press briefing in Rome after the Israeli attacks against strategic targets in Iran, Peled commented on the reactions of Italian institutions. "We have listened to what Italian political leaders have said, from Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani to Matteo Salvini to Defence Minister Guido Crosetto and other politicians," Peled said. "They express concern, but at the same time recognise Israel's right to defend itself and to take the necessary precautions to eliminate the nuclear threat, not only for itself but also for Europe," the ambassador added, emphasising the political support received in recent hours from Rome.