"Faced with the difficult situation that is reappearing in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which is added to the crisis of Hormuz and the economic consequences of the numerous international tensions, I decided, together with the Head of State Major of Defense, to activate the Navy to prepare what is necessary to ensure safe transit of Italian ships". This was announced today by the Minister of Economy Defence, Guido Crosetto, intervening against La Spezia in the fourth edition of Risorsa Mare 2026 The European House-Ambrosetti.

"We have - added Crosetto - the skills to to protect its passage and to acquire useful information and necessary through the work of the sector and the cooperation with us. We cannot allow bureaucratic decision-making delays aggravate an already complex situation, with consequences on our economy and on the lives of citizens. When a sea route is interrupted, goods arrive late, costs are increasing and prices are rising for families and businesses. And every economic crisis affects the most fragile people in particular, putting at risk the social cohesion and stability of the country".

"Defending freedom of navigation - continued the Minister of Defence - therefore means protecting the our supplies, the work of companies, the power purchasing costs of households and Italy's ability to producing wealth. It also means defending what is located below the surface of the sea: the cables through which they pass data, energy connections and all those infrastructures essential elements whose value we often understand only when are damaged. Today the task of the Defense goes far beyond its perimeter traditional system. It is not only about the physical protection of the territory from possible threats, but also economic security, and communications. Because you can hitting a nation not only with bombs, but also undermining their economy, social cohesion and the trust of citizens in institutions. Almost 90% of the world's freight traffic travels by sea. For a great maritime nation like Italy, to garrison it over and below the surface means defending one's own safety, prosperity and future".

"The sea," Crosetto concluded, "has been part of the sea for centuries of our history and one of the main sources of our wealth. The Defense and the Navy will continue to protect it, intervening concretely whenever it is national interests and the security of Italians".