As the conflict in Iran continues to destabilize West Asia, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni made an unannounced visit to Saudi Arabia on Friday. According to a government source cited by Reuters, the trip aims to strengthen “national energy security” for Italy.
Meloni started her tour in the Red Sea port city of Jeddah. She is reportedly the first leader from both the European Union and NATO to visit the Gulf region since the war began on February 28.
Meetings With Gulf Leaders on Energy and Security
Sources revealed that Meloni plans to meet officials from Saudi Arabia, as well as representatives from Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, though it is not yet confirmed if she will travel to the latter two countries. All three Gulf nations have recently been targeted by Iranian missile and drone attacks in retaliation for US-Israeli strikes on Iran.
“The aim is to strengthen relations with these countries and repeat Italy’s support against Iranian attacks,” the source told Reuters. “The mission is also aimed at strengthening national energy security,” they added, noting that the Gulf is a “crucial source of oil and gas for Italy.”
Italy’s Growing Concern Over Energy Prices
Europe is closely watching Meloni’s moves, as Italy relies heavily on energy imports. Rising global energy prices have already prompted the Italian government to cut fuel excise taxes until May 1 to help control petrol costs.
Earlier, on March 25, Meloni visited Algeria, which supplies roughly 30 percent of Italy’s natural gas, in hopes of boosting imports further. She is also known as one of the European leaders most closely aligned with US President Donald Trump and has often worked to bridge EU-US positions.
Italy Stays Out of War, Focuses on National Interests
Despite her close ties to Trump, Meloni has emphasized that Italy will not join the war effort. “I continue to believe that, geopolitically, Europe does not have much to gain from a widening gap with the United States,” she told Italian media on Friday.
“But our job is above all to defend our national interests, and when we disagree, we have to say so. And this time we do not agree,” she added. Meanwhile, Trump has urged countries affected by Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz to intervene. This crucial shipping route previously handled around a quarter of global seaborne oil trade and 20 percent of liquefied natural gas supplies before the conflict.
