Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto. Photo courtesy of Anadolu.
Italy signaled a growing concern over potential terrorism threats tied to the conflict in the Middle East, officials said Thursday.
Defense Minister Guido Crosetto told RTL 102.5 that direct attacks on Italy by Iran or its allies, such as Hezbollah, are unlikely, but terrorism remains the main security challenge.
He explained that hundreds of Iranian sleeper cells exist globally, appearing as ordinary individuals but capable of carrying out attacks, including suicide bombings, if activated.
Crosetto noted that these networks have operated for years, posing the main internal threat to countries not directly involved in the US-Israel-Iran conflict.
The minister described the situation in the Middle East as highly complex, saying US strikes on Iran were intended to pressure Tehran but instead triggered wider regional reactions involving Gulf nations.
Crosetto stressed that the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz is affecting global economies and called for coordinated international measures to manage the crisis.
He suggested a UN-led convoy including major powers to secure the strait without provoking Iran, aiming to restore safe maritime transit.
According to Crosetto, such international efforts would reduce the risk of escalation while ensuring global energy and shipping routes remain open.
