Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni completed a Gulf tour that took her to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, with energy security and the Strait of Hormuz crisis at the center of the discussions.
Euronews reported that the trip focused on restoring energy supplies and securing navigation in Hormuz after disruptions linked to the wider war. In Qatar, Meloni met Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and discussed diplomatic efforts to end the conflict in the Middle East. The source says Italy also offered technical support for damaged infrastructure and help with defense against Iranian raids.
In Saudi Arabia, Meloni met Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and discussed the defensive military assistance Italy had provided, as well as the prospects for a diplomatic solution. The talks also covered how to secure energy supplies and reduce the impact of the crisis on businesses and citizens. The same themes carried through to Abu Dhabi, where Meloni expressed solidarity with the United Arab Emirates and thanked the country for helping with the repatriation of Italian citizens and tourists.
The source says Meloni’s trip was the first visit to the region by a leader from an EU, G20 and NATO member state since the war began on February 28. That makes the tour more than a standard energy mission. It places Italy in the middle of a European effort to keep supply lines stable while also showing support for Gulf states dealing with repeated attacks and growing security concerns.
The reports also make clear that Italy is trying to present itself as a practical partner. Technical support for local infrastructure, cooperation on defense and discussion of strategic investments all suggest a policy line aimed at limiting the economic fallout from the crisis rather than simply commenting on it from afar. That approach is especially relevant for a country that, according to the source, has already suffered gas supply cuts because of damage in the region.
At home, the mission drew mixed reactions. The Democratic Party and the Green Left Alliance criticized it, while Matteo Renzi called it politically intelligent despite the difficult months ahead. Those reactions show that the trip was not just an international gesture; it was also a domestic test of how Italy should respond when a regional war starts to affect energy, trade and security planning.
The source leaves Meloni’s mission with a dual purpose: to keep the energy system stable and to keep diplomatic channels open. In a war that has repeatedly shaken markets and forced governments to think beyond their own borders, that combination may be the most practical message Italy can send.
