Middle East crisis expands as Spain and Italy join conflict
Photo: Italy and Spain join the conflict in the Middle East (facebook.com armadaesp)
Today, March 5, the Spanish Ministry of Defense announced the dispatch of its most modern frigate to protect Cyprus. The same statement was made by Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto, according to LBC and The Guardian.
Spain made this decision after a drone strike on a British base in Cyprus drew it into the war in the Middle East.
The Spanish Ministry of Defense said that the frigate Cristóbal Colón will join the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle and ships of the Greek navy.
This move is planned to ensure protection and air defense and to support the evacuation of civilians.
Italy prepares its navy and air defense systems
Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said that in the coming days, the country will send naval forces to protect Cyprus. In addition, he announced the deployment of air defense systems to protect countries in the Middle East against drones and missiles.
"We’re not the only country facing this situation and we have all received requests for assistance. We are evaluating together, including how to share responsibility. We must reassess our positions in the region and respond to the requests of friendly countries in difficulty," Crosetto says.
He adds that Italy intends to ensure a "multi-domain" in the Middle East, with anti-drone and anti-missile air defence systems within the scope of our authorised operations and within the limits of our missions".
Background
The United Kingdom came under Iranian attack. In particular, Iran attacked a British military base in Cyprus with a drone on the night of March 2 near the British airbase in Akrotiri, Cyprus. Before this, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer gave the US permission to launch defensive strikes on Iranian targets from British bases.
Recently, US President Donald Trump ordered the severing of all relations with Spain after it refused to allow the United States to use its military bases.
In addition, Trump criticized Britain for refusing to participate in attacks on Iran. At present, London does not rule out the possibility of joining strikes on Iranian ballistic missile launchers.
