Personally, I’m glad to see Italy stepping up. Italy has a proud military tradition and a capable navy, especially when it comes to maritime security and mine countermeasures.
But I’m not happy about how we got here in the first place. In my view, this war should have been avoided through a strict but realistic diplomatic strategy: no Iranian nuclear bomb, no threats to destroy Israel, full inspections — and in return a path toward economic normalization and a better future for the Iranian people.
Now the Strait of Hormuz has become exactly the kind of mess many people could see coming. Mine clearing and escort operations are not symbolic tasks; they are essential.
Germany, too, still has serious mine-clearing experience and capabilities — unfortunately because we know very well what it means to clean up the consequences of disastrous political decisions.
If allies had been involved earlier, this could have been planned and coordinated much better. At this point, every capable navy helping there makes a real difference.
