In Iranian retaliation for American and Israeli attacks, a skyscraper near the Italian embassy was hit in Abu Dhabi. This was reported by Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani. Speaking at a press point at the Farnesina, the minister explained that “for this reason all the work is taking place in the residence and not in the embassy”.
Ready to report to Parliament on Iran
Tajani is “ready” to report to Parliament on the crisis in the Middle East and the developments after the attack by the USA and Israel on Iran. «This morning President Craxi called me to ask me if I was ready to report to the Foreign and Defense Committee in the Senate. I have given my availability, so there is no problem.”
“I didn’t know about Crosetto in Dubai, I hope he returns before March 7th”
“I don’t know when he will return, I hope before” March 7. Thus Tajani responded to a question about Defense Minister Guido Crosetto, blocked in Dubai due to the suspension of flights, which is scheduled until March 7. “I personally didn’t know,” Tajani replied to those who asked if the government was aware of Crosetto’s presence in Dubai. «He left earlier – he added -. We were informed by the Israeli government that the attack was underway, Minister Sàar called me early yesterday morning when the attack had already begun.”
“Worried about the high number of Italians who have to return”
Furthermore, the minister did not hide his concern for the return home of the approximately one thousand tourists stranded in the Middle East since the attack on Iran. “We are worried about the high number of Italians who have to return to the country,” he said after the emergency meeting at the Farnesina with all the diplomats in the area. “There is no danger to their safety, they are followed,” he assured.
Tajani: “neither Italian civilians nor soldiers involved in the attacks”
«There are no Italian soldiers or Italian civilians involved in any way in the attacks which are still continuing. Even in Iran there are currently no Italians who need to leave the country. Only one crossed the border with Azerbaijan and was boarded this morning on a flight that will arrive at Malpensa.”
The situation in Iran
Tajani also analyzed the current situation in Iran: «Khamenei is no longer there, now there is a sort of temporary leader, then the Council of Experts will have to elect the new leader. So now it is in a temporary phase, let’s see how long it will last, what the outcomes of the war will be. Certainly, once a leader who had guided Iran for decades is over, something will happen. The situation is changing because there are also opposing demonstrations on the streets, both those who support the regime and those who oppose it. We are seeing, there is a situation in motion but it is no longer the same as before. We have always had a dialogue with Iran, but certainly the violent repression with thousands of deaths by the Pasdaran during the street demonstrations has forced Italy to take a more rigid position. And therefore – he continued – together with the other European countries we have decided to inflict sanctions and we have decided to include the Pasdaran in the list of terrorist organisations”.
Crosetto’s return home
Defense Minister Guido Crosetto is returning to Italy from the United Arab Emirates on a military plane. Crosetto was stuck in Dubai yesterday after the attack on Iran.