Italy is not at war and has no intention of entering into conflict. This was the message emerging from the meeting of the Supreme Defense Council, chaired by President Sergio Mattarella, which reaffirmed the line previously expressed in Parliament by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
Referring to Article 11 of the Constitution, which rejects war as a means of resolving international disputes, Italy stressed that it is committed to supporting any effort that brings the negotiating and diplomatic path back to the forefront.
The Council also expressed great concern about the war in Iran and the destabilizing effects it could have in the region, including the risk of hybrid threats and the actions of terrorist organizations.
The statement also highlighted fears of the spread of conflicts, especially in the Mediterranean area and the Middle East, where Italy has important strategic interests.
Italian authorities also urged Israel to avoid disproportionate reactions to Hezbollah's actions, which were deemed unacceptable. Meanwhile, Israeli attacks on the UNIFIL contingent, currently under Italian command, were also deemed "unacceptable."
The statement also condemned the attack on Italian soldiers in Erbil, Iraq, which led to a partial withdrawal of the Italian contingent from the area.
The meeting of the Supreme Defense Council lasted about two and a half hours and was attended, in addition to President Mattarella, by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, ministers Antonio Tajani, Guido Crosetto, Matteo Piantedosi, Giancarlo Giorgetti, Adolfo Urso, Undersecretary Alfredo Mantovano, as well as the Chief of the Defense General Staff, General Luciano Portolano.
