Italy Denies Negotiating with Iran over Strait of Hormuz Passage

Moscow — Italian Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani has refuted media reports claiming that Rome is negotiating with Tehran to secure a safe passage corridor for Italian vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.

On Friday, the Financial Times reported that European nations, including France and Italy, were negotiating with Iran to secure safe passage corridors for their ships through the Strait of Hormuz.

According to Financial Times sources, Rome was attempting to initiate negotiations with Tehran on the matter.

“This is absolutely not true. We are not consulting with anyone, we are not negotiating with Iran about Italian ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz,” Tajani said on Italian television station Rete4 on Friday.

He explained that this position was adopted specifically in light of the ongoing military conflict in the region.

Italian newspaper Stampa, citing several European Union sources, reported that the EU continuously maintains diplomatic communication channels with Iran, even during the current most difficult period.

However, according to several sources, the present time is not appropriate for conducting bilateral negotiations.

Some newspaper sources recommended a firm initiative led by the United Nations to ensure smooth traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.

On 28 February, the United States and Israel launched attacks on several targets in Iran, including Tehran, causing damage and civilian casualties.

Iran responded by launching retaliatory strikes against Israeli territory and US military facilities in the Middle East.

Escalating tensions around Iran have caused a de facto blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, the main shipping route for oil and liquefied natural gas exports from Persian Gulf nations to global markets.

The blockade has also affected oil production and export rates in the region.