Italy: Turmoil in the Red Sea Threatens Our Economic Stability

Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto pointed out today that "the ongoing turmoil in the Red Sea threatens to destabilize the Italian economy and marginalize ports in Southern Europe." Crosetto told members of the parliamentary defense committees, "From a geopolitical perspective, the continuation of this situation could lead to the marginalization of Mediterranean ports." He added, "It not only threatens navigation safety but also jeopardizes Italy's economic stability." Attacks carried out by the Iran-aligned Houthis, who control the most populated areas of Yemen, since mid-November on commercial ships have disrupted international shipping, forcing some companies to suspend transit through the Red Sea and instead take a longer and more expensive route around the Cape of Good Hope.