ROME, Apr 6: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has warned that a deteriorating situation in the Middle East could lead to energy shortages in Italy, as the conflict around the Strait of Hormuz disrupts global oil flows.
Speaking in a social-media video, Meloni said rising instability in Gulf countries is pushing up energy costs, hurting businesses, jobs and family purchasing power. “If the situation worsens, we could find ourselves in a situation where we don’t have all the energy we need, even in Italy,” she said.
The remarks come after Italian airports in Milan, Venice, Treviso and Bologna began introducing jet‑fuel restrictions, as reported by Corriere della Sera. Meloni recently visited Gulf states that supply about 15% of Italy’s oil, and said she pressed them to boost cooperation, de‑escalate the conflict and restore freedom of navigation through key routes, starting with the Strait of Hormuz.
Since the US and Israel began striking Iran on February 28, and Iran launched retaliatory attacks on Israel and US facilities, the Strait of Hormuz has seen a sharp drop in shipping, driving up fuel prices worldwide.
