In response to the crisis in Iran, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Antonio Tajani, chaired a meeting at the Farnesina with the Italian Ambassador to Tehran, Italian Ambassadors from the region, as well as representatives of the Ministry of Defence and the intelligence community.

The meeting first focused on an assessment of the situation of Italian nationals currently in Iran and in the Gulf countries, which could become potential targets of military action in the event of an escalation of tensions. The Italian Foreign Ministry strongly reiterates its call for Italian citizens in Iran to leave the country.

There are approximately 600 Italian nationals in Iran, mainly concentrated in the Tehran area. In recent weeks, the Embassy has maintained active monitoring of Italian citizens in transit or temporarily present in the country.

More than 900 members of the Italian Armed Forces are deployed in the region, including around 500 personnel in Iraq and 400 in Kuwait, where precautionary measures are being implemented to ensure the protection of military personnel.

During the meeting, the Minister reiterated that the utmost priority must remain the protection of Italian nationals and the need to ensure constant monitoring of developments in the regional security environment, including through coordination among diplomatic missions and with international partners.

The meeting also provided an opportunity to take stock of internal developments in Iran, which continue to give rise to serious concern. In this context, Italy's position of firm condemnation of the violent repression of protests and of serious human rights violations was reaffirmed.

Italy will continue to work in close coordination with its partners in the European Union, the Atlantic Alliance and the G7, contributing to the efforts of the international community to promote de-escalation, the protection of human rights and regional stability and security.