ROME, April 23 (Xinhua) -- Italy's navy has signaled readiness to participate in mine-clearing operations in the Strait of Hormuz once the current conflict subsides, the ANSA news agency on Wednesday quoted naval sources as saying.
Officials emphasized that any such effort would not be undertaken unilaterally but within a coordinated multilateral framework, said an ANSA report.
Italy's Foreign Ministry has also reaffirmed the country's commitment to safeguarding freedom of navigation in line with international law and supporting maritime security through collective, multilateral cooperation.
Tensions in the Strait of Hormuz carry major implications for Europe's energy security. Italian government and security officials have underscored the risks, indicating that the issue is under close review and raising the prospect of expanding maritime security operations within a broader European framework. ■