Gulf Task Force

Press Releases on the ongoing conflict

Gulf Crisis. Tajani Meets with Embassies. Update on Italian Nationals and the Situation in Hormuz
Publication date: March 10 2026 – 03:12 pm

Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani held a new meeting with several Ambassadors involved in the Middle East crisis. Following a drone attack on the Emirates’ Consulate in Erbil and ongoing attacks on military installations, the situation in Iraq remains complex. The number of Italian citizens in the country is very limited, and all those who have expressed the need to leave have already been assisted and are now outside the country.

The Minister received an update from the Ambassador to Colombo on the situation of Italian nationals in the Maldives, confirming the departure of at least 6,600 Italians, both on charter flights organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and on commercial flights. The Italian Ambassador to Colombo is present in Malé and, along with the Honorary Consul and Embassy staff on site, is continuing to assist Italian nationals, including a constant presence at the airport.

Regarding the situation in Lebanon, the conflict continues with widespread raids across the country, including the southern suburbs of Beirut, and nearly 700,000 internally displaced people have been reported. Italian soldiers from the UNIFIL mission, deployed on the ground, continue patrolling with enhanced protection measures. The Italian Embassy in Beirut remains fully operational to assist Italian nationals, subject to security and safety conditions. Beirut International Airport remains open and operational, including for flights to Italy.

The Minister is closely monitoring the evolving situation in the Strait of Hormuz, where maritime traffic continues to be severely restricted, with only a few ships passing through each day. There are still serious concerns about the potential repercussions on navigation safety and the stability of energy markets.

Minister Tajani’s network of contacts with the USA, Gulf Ministers and other international partners for de-escalation in the Middle East
Publication date: March 09 2026 – 11:45 am

As part of Italy’s diplomatic efforts to promote de-escalation in the Gulf and the wider Middle East region, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani held telephone talks today with Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister, Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, and India’s Foreign Minister, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.

Today’s talks focused on an update on the situation in the Gulf region following the new Iranian attacks against several countries in the region Ministero Tajani reaffirmed Italy’s commitment to de-escalation, diplomacy and a peaceful solution to the crisis.

MinisterTajani pointed out that it is essential to ensure freedom of navigation and maritime security, particularly in the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea, in a context of speculation that is causing gas and oil prices to rise. Minister Tajani reaffirmed Italy’s solidarity with the Saudi Minister following the unacceptable Iranian attacks and thanked him for the assistance provided to Italian citizens in the region and for the cooperation with our embassies and consulates in facilitating their work at this time of emergency.

The Foreign Minister confirmed that Italy will support the draft UN Security Council resolution submitted by Bahrain on behalf of the Council. With the Indian Minister Jaishankar, Ministero Tajani emphasised that recent developments make the need to create the IMEC corridor even more pressing, in order to diversify commercial, digital and energy connections.

Since the outbreak of the crisis, Ministero Tajani has been in telephone contact with Secretary of State Rubio, German Foreign Minister Wadephul, the Foreign Ministers of the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan, Oman, Azerbaijan and Egypt, the Director of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Raphael Grossi, and with G7 partners at the meeting on Iran on 1 March.

Further talks are planned with the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Qatar, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, and with the Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.

Gulf Task Force: Assistance to Italians in the Gulf Continues
Publication date: March 08 2026 – 11:35 am

Since the beginning of the crisis, an estimated 25,000 Italians have been able to return to Italy, thanks to flights facilitated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and commercial flights.

A total of approximately 90,000 Italians have been recorded in the Middle East and the Gulf region. Tourist numbers in that region are estimated to have decreased compared to previous days.

The crisis has also had an indirect impact on Southeast Asia, where another 11,000 Italian tourists have been recorded in India, Indonesia, the Maldives, Malaysia, Nepal, the Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam.

In terms of air travel and connections, since the beginning of the crisis, charter flights have been organized or facilitated, allowing the return of thousands of Italian citizens. The flights departed primarily from Muscat, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Riyadh, and Malé.

The Gulf Task Force has also stepped up its activity to respond to requests from Italians (over 17,500 contacts have been received since the beginning of the crisis). The Task Force currently consists of 200 officials, operating 24 hours a day.

Middle East update. New charter flights from Muscat and Malé facilitated by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Publication date: March 05 2026 – 01:33 pm – Read the press release>>

Update Middle East: new flights with Italians departing from the Gulf. Additional staff at Abu Dhabi and Dubai offices
Publication date: March 04 2026 – 05:55 pm – Read the press release>>

New arrivals of Italian nationals from the Gulf region. Additional return flights being organised. Citizens are strongly advised to register to receive updates
Publication date: March 04 2026 – 01:12 pm – Read the press release>>

Tajani: New return flights from the Middle East ready
Publication date: March 03 2026 –10:22 am – Read the press release>>

Tajani: 200 students stranded in Dubai departing from Abu Dhabi to Milan. New buses arranged for Oman, and additional charter flights from Muscat to Italy. A Ministry of Foreign Affairs reinforcement team is already operational in Muscat
Publication date: March 03 2026 –08:35 am – Read the press release>>

Group of Italians transferred from Dubai departed from Oman on a charter flight to Italy
Publication date: March 02 2026 – 03:07 pm – Read the press release >>

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is also following the case of approximately 200 WSC students and tutors stranded in Dubai
Publication date: March 01 2026 – 07:18 pm – Read the press release >>

“Gulf Task Force” established at the Farnesina to assist Italians stranded in the region
Publication date: March 01 2026 –11:39 am – Read the press release >>