Air defense and anti-missile systems to help our military contingents on the territory and the Gulf countries hit by Iranian retaliation; the defense, through the dispatch of ships, as Crosetto specified, of the European states targeted by Tehran (Cyprus); and, above all, the approval of the use of American bases on Italian soil, in compliance with the bilateral treaties between Rome and Washington, therefore for "training" and "technical-logistical support" activities .
The Chamber of Deputies approved the majority resolution on the government's communications regarding the crisis in the Middle East and the Gulf countries' request for aid, with 179 votes in favor and 100 against (14 abstentions).
The Assembly rejected the document presented by the Democratic Party, Five Star Movement, and Avs (the Government had expressed a negative opinion on the text as a whole) and accepted parts of the resolutions tabled by Italia Viva, Più Europa, and Azione, reformulated by the Executive, with consequent positive opinions on these passages.
The Senate also approved the center-right resolution on Iran with a vote of 94 in favor, 39 against, and 8 abstentions. This is the same document approved by the Chamber of Deputies, which includes commitments regarding the defense of European countries, military bases granted to the US, and support for the Gulf countries. In the Senate, the proposal from the Democratic Party, the Five Star Movement, and the Italian Social Republic was also rejected, while the proposal from the Italian National Alliance was deemed accepted.
With the resolution approved today, the majority calls on the Meloni government to make three commitments. The text does not refer to the actions of the US and Israel, but to the escalation caused by "Iran's missile launches toward countries not involved in the attack, which have prompted a reassessment of the safety of military personnel deployed in the area and of Italian citizens present, increasing the risk of the conflict spreading regionally."
These are the three points of the resolution.
1) "Confirm compliance, in the use of military installations on national territory and granted to US forces, with the legal framework defined by current international agreements, which includes, among other things, training and technical-logistical support ," reads one of the points contained in the draft. This does not constitute a green light to use our bases to launch attacks on Iran; "the US has not yet asked us to do so," the government stated . And if they were to ask, it would require a further step in Parliament. Crosetto and Meloni sought to tone down the alarm: "We will do exactly what Spain is doing; the bases will be used within the framework of the bilateral agreements we have with the United States," the minister said. "We are not at war," the prime minister affirmed.
2) A second point of the draft calls on the government to "promptly strengthen the defense and protection capabilities of Italian missions in Middle Eastern theaters of operation , with particular reference to the mandate set out in document 04/2025, extended, through the deployment and redeployment of air defense, anti-missile defense, and surveillance systems, within the authorized perimeter of the geographic area of intervention, to protect Italian citizens, support partner countries , and safeguard strategic infrastructure in the area, safeguarding primary national interests." This is all "also in relation to the need to counter an energy crisis for Italian citizens and businesses." Italian military personnel are deployed in Kuwait, the Emirates, and Qatar.
3) Finally, the Government commits "to participate with national assets in the common effort within the European Union to support, upon request, EU member states in defending their territory from Iranian missile or drone attacks." The reference is to Cyprus, targeted by Iranian retaliation : Italy, explained Minister Crosetto, will send ships , as will France, Spain, and the Netherlands, "in accordance with Article 51 of the United Nations Charter."
THE OPPOSITION
The Democratic Party, Five Star Movement and the Italian Socialist Party (AVS) instead presented a resolution, which was rejected, to commit the Government to "firmly support the return to the negotiating path, encouraging the reopening of diplomatic channels and the involvement of the competent international organisations" and to " not authorise the use of the bases granted for use by the American armed forces present on Italian soil for military attacks against Iran and, in any case, not to provide any type of military support to a war that violates international law and which the international community must stop before it is too late".
The resolutions of Azione, Italia Viva, and Più Europa were approved, with some amendments accepted by the signatories themselves.
Action calls on the Government to "proceed as quickly as possible to increase defense spending and related investments (industry, research and development, operational readiness, air and missile defense, anti-drone capabilities, and critical infrastructure protection), defining a binding program consistent with commitments undertaken at EU and NATO levels. This will create, as quickly as possible, effective conditions for Italy's military and strategic autonomy and, at the same time, contribute to the construction of a credible and interoperable European capability."
Italia Viva calls on the government to "constantly and promptly report to Parliament on the evolution of the crisis in Iran and the Persian Gulf region and on the diplomatic, political, and security initiatives adopted by Italy, ensuring Parliament's full involvement in foreign policy and security decisions that could impact national strategic interests" and to "adopt any diplomatic initiative useful for promoting military de-escalation and the reduction of tensions in the region." The government also commits to "supporting the Iranian people with political and diplomatic initiatives and strengthening our country's defense structures to guarantee the safety of our citizens."
Finally, Più Europa , which asks the Government to "work towards the definition of a common position within the European Union, which conditions any possible use of military bases and infrastructures on European territory", to "work towards preventing further acts of repression against civilians and political prisoners and to guarantee the safety of Iranian dissidents in Italy and Europe ", to "mitigate the economic consequences that could hit the national economy in order to protect the interests of consumers and businesses" and to "continue to guarantee, at the same time, the political, economic and military support of Italy and the European Union for Ukraine" .
(Unioneonline/L)