Italy Considers Sending Defense Systems to Gulf Nations Amid Iran Strikes

Italian officials are weighing requests from Gulf nations for military defense equipment, including missile defense systems, as Iran launches retaliatory strikes across the region. Sources say Italy would likely deploy one of its SAMP/T missile defense batteries, though no final decision has been made. The conflict has prompted several European nations to bolster air defenses in the Mediterranean.

Italian government officials are considering providing military defense equipment to Gulf nations that have requested assistance amid escalating Iranian airstrikes in the region, according to two unnamed sources who spoke Wednesday.

The sources indicated that while no final determination has been reached, Italy would most likely deploy one of its SAMP/T missile defense batteries capable of stopping ballistic missiles. Officials declined to specify which nation would receive the equipment or which particular battery Rome might redeploy.

Iranian forces have conducted retaliatory attacks targeting ports, urban areas, and petroleum infrastructure across the Gulf region following military actions by Israeli and American forces against Iran. The Gulf serves as a crucial energy production zone globally. Although Italy does not heavily depend on Gulf energy imports, the nation’s energy minister stated Wednesday that coal power plants could be restarted if the regional conflict triggers an energy shortage.

Defense Minister Guido Crosetto revealed Monday that Rome had received multiple requests from Gulf countries seeking air defense equipment and anti-drone technology, including the SAMP/T system developed jointly by France and Italy.

A third source mentioned that Italy might also supply anti-drone equipment that could be deployed rapidly, though technical evaluations are ongoing.

Italy currently provides SAMP/T systems to Ukraine as part of its defense against Russian invasion forces, and the third source emphasized that no equipment would be diverted from Ukraine’s air defense capabilities to assist Gulf states.

When questioned about potentially supplying defense equipment in response to the expanding Middle East conflict, Cabinet Undersecretary Alfredo Mantovano told a Rome gathering that the administration was “evaluating requests.”

As the conflict spreads into the Mediterranean region, Britain, France, and Greece announced Tuesday their intention to deploy air defense units to Cyprus following drone attacks on the Royal Air Force Akrotiri facility there.

Italy maintains U.S. military installations within its borders. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani stated Tuesday evening that Rome has not yet received any requests to utilize these bases for operations targeting Iran, but would assess any such requests if they arrive.