Italy’s Meloni Marks October 2023 as the Starting Day of the War That Now Encompasses Iran

In an ever-metastasizing Middle Eastern war, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is championing the greater good. She declared that Italy is neither at war nor a participant in the planning or execution of the U.S.-Israeli military operation against Iran. Yet she also stated that “the current conflict has a clear starting date — and it is not February 28, 2026, but October 7, 2023.”Though both the premier and her defense minister, Guido Crosetto, believe Operation Epic Fury to be outside the scope of international law, the Italian government will not shirk its responsibilities to NATO, the European Union, or the West.“We cannot afford a regime of the Ayatollahs in possession of a nuclear weapon, combined with a missile capability that could soon be able to strike Italy and Europe directly,” warned Signora Meloni during her recent address to the Italian senate. Moreover, she noted that Tehran had given Hamas financial backing and logistical support for decades, including intelligence that helped the terrorist group launch the October 7 attack against Israel.While Article 11 of the Italian Constitution limits Rome from offensive military operations, Italy is providing defensive military support to its European partners and vulnerable Gulf states. This includes deploying SAMP/T anti-missile systems to the United Arab Emirates and anti-drone equipment to Kuwait and Qatar.After Iran launched missiles at Cyprus and Turkey, a member of the North Atlantic Treaty, Signora Meloni dispatched a Bergamini-class multi-mission frigate, Federico Martinengo, to the island nation. This state-of-the-art naval vessel is equipped with advanced air defense and anti-drone capabilities.In a call to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Italy’s foreign minister, Antonio Tajani, reiterated that “Italy confirms its objective of ensuring that Iran does not possess military nuclear weapons, and hopes that an end to the conflict can be achieved, to which prudent political and diplomatic work should contribute.”In light of Signora Meloni’s close ties with America and Israel, the global press pounced. The New York Times’ Rome bureau chief, Motoko Rich, wrote: “Ms. Meloni was caught on the back foot when the United States began bombing Iran late last month without consulting any European allies. While some European leaders received a courtesy call just before the attacks, the Italians were left unaware. ”So much for Signora Meloni’s role as the EU’s “Trump whisperer,” chortled pundits and political rivals. “After having been subservient to Trump on every international issue, Meloni is now dragging Italy into war,” said the Green-Left Alliance’s Angelo Bonelli, according to ANSA.A former premier and an allegedly centrist rival, Matteo Renzi, took to social media to needle Italy’s first female premier: “For months, they’ve been telling us across all networks that Meloni was the bridge between Trump and Europe. Unfortunately, it was all fake news.”Social media shading, though, cannot mask the reality of indiscriminate Iranian aerial attacks. On March 12, Il Sole 24 Ore reported that Tehran launched what Mr. Crosetto called a “deliberate” drone strike on the 300 Italian military personnel at the Italian military base in Iraq.Thanks to the Italian military’s expert training and tight security precautions, no one was harmed. And Mr. Tajani issued a swift and “Firm condemnation” of Iran. POTUS 47’s strikes against Tehran have upended the Western alliance, but Signora Meloni is proposing that diplomacy coupled with Western resolve will win the day.In her address to the senate and in the more recent high-level meeting at the Quirinale Palace with Italy’s president, Sergio Mattarella, Signora Meloni outlined Italy’s central role in fostering global order, maintaining Western solidarity and defanging evildoers with delusions of nuclear grandeur.She excoriated Iran’s strategic linkage with Russia and detailed the former’s funding for Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis. Rome will be a player in resolving international crises, combining geopolitical realignment, peacekeeping and economic clout. Italy has military forces stationed throughout the Middle East, including Kuwait, Qatar, Lebanon, Egypt, and the Palestinian territoriesAs Decode 39 noted: “Italy intends to play a more proactive role in shaping Europe’s response to global instability while defending its own industrial and strategic priorities.” However, Giorgia Meloni will prioritize the Magic Boot’s national interests without abandoning America.

Italy’s Meloni Marks October 2023 as the Starting Day of the War That Now Encompasses Iran

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