Italy has announced it will not participate in the ongoing war involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, while also beginning to withdraw some of its military personnel from positions in the Middle East as the conflict intensifies.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni told lawmakers Italy “does not take part” in the U.S.-Israeli military strikes against Iran and “does not want to enter” the war. She described the conflict as one of the most serious international crises in recent decades and warned that the escalation reflected a broader breakdown in the international legal order.
Meloni’s comments marked one of the clearest statements by a major European government distancing itself from the military campaign.
Italy Distances Itself from the Military Campaign
Speaking to the Italian Senate, Meloni said the U.S.-Israeli strikes were an intervention in which Italy “does not take part and does not intend to take part.” She emphasized that Italy is not currently at war and does not intend to enter the conflict.
At the same time, the Italian government acknowledged that the war represents a serious security concern for Europe. Meloni warned that Iran obtaining a nuclear weapon would pose a direct threat to European security and said the situation could destabilize the broader international system.
The prime minister also criticized the broader pattern of military interventions outside what she described as the framework of international law, calling the war part of a growing trend that risks undermining the existing global order.
Despite refusing to join the fighting, Meloni said Italy remains engaged diplomatically with European allies and is coordinating with other leaders to monitor the situation and pursue possible de-escalation efforts.
Troop Withdrawals from the Region
Italy has also begun pulling back some of its military personnel stationed in the region. The Italian defense ministry confirmed that troops stationed at a base in Erbil in Iraq’s Kurdistan region were being withdrawn as the security situation deteriorated.
The base had hosted more than 300 Italian troops before the current escalation. Roughly 100 of those personnel have already returned to Italy, while around 40 others have been relocated to Jordan as part of the repositioning effort.
The decision to accelerate the withdrawal came after a drone strike hit the base in Erbil, highlighting the growing risks faced by foreign forces operating in the region as the war spreads. No Italian personnel were injured in that attack. Italian officials said the move was primarily intended to protect personnel as the regional security environment deteriorates.
Balancing Alliance Commitments and Domestic Law
Italy’s decision reflects the complicated position many European governments face as the conflict escalates. Rome remains a member of NATO and maintains close security ties with the United States, but it has also emphasized legal and constitutional limits on participation in war.
Article 11 of the Italian Constitution states that Italy rejects war as an instrument of national policy and commits the country to resolving international disputes through peaceful means. Italian officials have repeatedly cited that principle in explaining the government’s cautious approach to the conflict.
The government has therefore attempted to balance several priorities at once: maintaining alliance relationships, protecting Italian personnel abroad, and avoiding direct military participation in the war.
Meloni has also stressed that tens of thousands of Italian citizens live across the Middle East and Gulf region, while roughly 2,000 Italian troops remain deployed across various missions in the area. Protecting those citizens and personnel remains one of the government’s primary concerns as the conflict continues.
Defensive Support Without Entering the War
Although Italy has refused to join the offensive operations against Iran, the government has not completely withdrawn from regional security efforts.
Meloni said Italy may provide defensive assistance to partner countries facing Iranian attacks, including potential air defense support for Gulf states. Italian officials described these measures.
The government has also deployed a naval unit to Cyprus to support European partners after missile strikes linked to the conflict affected the eastern Mediterranean. These actions reflect what Italian officials describe as a defensive posture rather than participation in the war itself.
Europe’s Cautious Response
Italy’s position highlights the broader caution among many European governments as the war expands across the Middle East.
Several countries have expressed concern about escalation and called for diplomatic solutions while avoiding direct military involvement. At the same time, governments across Europe are increasingly focused on protecting their citizens, military personnel, and economic interests in a region that remains central to global energy markets.
For Italy, the approach has been to distance itself from the fighting while preparing for the potential consequences of a prolonged regional conflict.
As Meloni told lawmakers, Italy is not at war and does not intend to enter one. The government’s priority, she said, is preventing further escalation while protecting Italian citizens and forces already stationed across the Middle East.
