The Supreme Defense Council met at the Quirinale and described the situation as one of great concern. The meeting reviewed the fallout from recent military action by the United States and Israel against Iran and the serious destabilizing effects now visible across the Middle East and the Mediterranean.

Legal limits on use of Italian bases

The Council noted that Parliament has already set the rules for helping friendly and allied countries. It emphasized the need for any use of Italian military infrastructure by foreign forces to follow existing international agreements. That framework covers activities such as training and technical and logistical support. Any request that goes beyond those agreements will be brought back to Parliament for approval.

Protecting citizens and troops

The government lines presented to Parliament were reviewed in detail. Priority items include the security of the thousands of Italian citizens in the region and continued support for Gulf partners. The Council also highlighted protection for Italian military personnel already deployed under missions that Parliament has authorized.

Italy will not take part in the war

For all these reasons, Italy does not participate and will not take part in the war, a point the Prime Minister restated in Parliament. The Council also underlined that it acts in respect of Article 11 of the Constitution and expressed strong concern about the multiplication of conflicts, especially in the Mediterranean and Middle East where Italy has vital strategic interests.

Human cost and wider risks

The Council condemned attacks on civilians, noting that children are often victims, and cited the Minab school massacre as an example of unacceptable violence. It warned that an expanded conflict could open the door to hybrid warfare and serious moves by terrorist groups.

Condemnation of attack on Italian forces

The Council condemned the aggression against Italian troops in Erbil, Iraq. It offered strong feelings of closeness and gratitude to all Italian servicemembers working at home and abroad, with special mention of those in UNIFIL in southern Lebanon and units deployed in the Gulf for their professionalism.

Concerns about the international order and the UN

The Council said that the crisis reflects stress on the international order centered on the United Nations. It warned that an increase in unilateral initiatives weakens the multilateral system, even when common challenges are at stake, such as the risk of Iran developing nuclear weapons, the security of Israel and its citizens, and the human rights abuses by the Tehran regime.

The situation in Lebanon and UNIFIL

The Council paid close attention to Lebanon. It asked Israel to refrain from disproportionate responses to Hezbollah actions that have pulled Lebanon into a new, severe conflict. The Council noted the severe human toll, including many casualties and hundreds of thousands evacuated from southern Lebanon and Shia areas of Beirut.

Members described ongoing violations of UN Security Council resolution 1701 from 2006 as alarming, and they called out repeated unacceptable attacks on the UNIFIL contingent, which is currently led by Italy. If UNIFIL were to be concluded, the Council said it remains essential to guarantee the security of the Blue Line and to strengthen the capabilities of the Lebanese Armed Forces.

Who attended

  • The President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella
  • The Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni
  • Ministers including Antonio Tajani (Foreign Affairs), Guido Crosetto (Defense), Matteo Piantedosi (Interior), Giancarlo Giorgetti (Economy), Adolfo Urso (Enterprises)
  • Undersecretary to the Prime Minister Alfredo Mantovano
  • Chief of Staff of Defense Luciano Portolano
  • Secretary of the Supreme Defense Council Francesco Garofani
  • Secretary General of the Presidency Ugo Zampetti

The agenda focused on the war involving Iran and the wider Middle East, plus the international consequences of the ongoing crisis.