25K Italians already back from Gulf areas, says Tajani

Operations to bring Italian citizens back safely from areas affected by tensions in the Middle East are continuing at full pace. According to Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, around 25,000 Italians have already returned to the country, thanks to the coordinated work of Italy’s diplomatic network and emergency services.

Between last night and today alone, another 5,000 Italian citizens have returned or are currently traveling back to Italy, coming from several parts of the world including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Oman, as well as Israel and a number of Asian countries such as the Maldives, Thailand, Cambodia and Sri Lanka.

The minister highlighted that the situation is showing “a significant improvement” compared with previous days, a sign that the measures put in place by the Italian Foreign Ministry are producing concrete results in ensuring the safety of Italians abroad.

Italy’s diplomatic network continues to operate on multiple fronts. Embassies and consulates are assisting citizens who are still in the affected areas, while the crisis task force at the Foreign Ministry is constantly monitoring developments and coordinating return operations.

For security reasons, the government has also decided to temporarily reduce staff at the Italian embassies in Baghdad and Beirut, while keeping essential diplomatic services operational. The decision reflects a precautionary approach aimed at protecting both Italian citizens and diplomatic personnel overseas.

Although the international situation remains complex, the growing number of successful returns and the decline in requests for consular assistance suggest that state institutions have responded quickly and effectively, providing concrete support to Italians caught in the most sensitive areas.

Klevis Gjoka