Meloni urges caution on Iran ahead of EU Summit

Italy will not be drawn into the escalating conflict in the Middle East. Addressing the Senate ahead of this week’s European Council, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni sought to reassure lawmakers that Rome will stay out of the military campaign following the U.S.–Israel strike on Iran.

Calling the crisis one of the most complex geopolitical challenges in decades, Meloni warned that it is unfolding in an increasingly fragile international order, where unilateral actions outside international law are becoming more frequent. 

Italy, she stressed, is not involved in the operation and will not take part.

The prime minister pushed back against opposition claims that her government has been complicit or politically isolated, arguing instead that Italy is acting with caution and responsibility as the security environment deteriorates. 

At such a moment, she said, political forces should avoid polarisation and focus on measured decision-making.

Meloni also addressed speculation over the potential use of U.S. military bases in Italy. No requests have been made in connection with the current crisis, she said, adding that any such decision would ultimately require parliamentary approval. 

She criticised what she described as a double standard in the domestic debate, noting that Spain has confirmed it will honour its bilateral agreements with the United States — a position Italy is likewise maintaining.

Energy and EU policy implications

Energy security and the economic consequences of the crisis also featured prominently in her remarks. 

Meloni warned against speculative behaviour in fuel markets and announced that the government is preparing measures to recover excess profits through increased taxation on companies responsible for price spikes. 

Rome is also considering activating the so-called mobile excise mechanism should fuel prices continue to rise.

Turning to European policy, Meloni urged the EU to consider temporarily suspending the Emissions Trading System (ETS) on thermoelectric electricity generation until energy prices stabilise. 

She also reaffirmed Italy’s stance on EU governance, stating that Rome will not support attempts to bypass the unanimity principle required for EU budget decisions, despite ongoing disputes with Hungary and Slovakia over financial support for Ukraine.

On migration, Meloni confirmed that Italy’s migrant reception centres in Albania operate within international and European law, while acknowledging that revocation orders remain a possible legal outcome in individual cases.

Following the debate, opposition parties submitted separate resolutions. The Democratic Party (PD), the Five Star Movement (M5S), and the Green and Left Alliance (AVS) had initially sought to agree on a joint text but ultimately presented three separate proposals. All call for an immediate ceasefire, de-escalation of the conflict, and a ban on the use of Italian bases for military operations against Iran.