Italian Defense Minister Returns Home After Dubai Stranding Amidst Regional Tensions
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) – Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto is returning to Italy after being stranded in Dubai following the closure of airspace in the wake of attacks in Iran, officials confirmed Sunday. The disruption to travel plans underscores the escalating tensions in the Middle East following recent military actions.
Crosetto was forced to travel overland to Muscat, Oman, approximately 500 kilometers from Dubai, before boarding an Italian Air Force Gulfstream G550 for the flight back to Italy, departing from Pratica di Mare air base. He announced on X, formerly known as Twitter, that he had tripled the standard fee for guest travel on state flights, covering the cost himself.
The minister stated he is returning alone “to avoid exposing others to further danger.” He confirmed his family remains in Dubai, but that he had verified there were no significant risks to them or other Italian and foreign citizens beyond the general uncertainties of the current situation.
The incident comes as international concern grows over the volatile security landscape in the region. The U.S. Navy recently sank an Iranian corvette in the Gulf of Oman, further heightening anxieties.
The situation has drawn criticism from Italy’s opposition Five Star Movement (M5S). M5S leader Giuseppe Conte criticized the government’s handling of the situation, pointing to the fact that Crosetto was caught abroad during the attacks. “Italy, under Meloni, which was supposed to ensure dialogue… didn’t even know about the heavy attacks by the US and Israel on Iran,” Conte wrote on Facebook.
M5S Vice President Stefano Patuanelli called for Crosetto’s resignation, arguing the minister’s absence raised questions about the government’s preparedness and coordination during a critical time for international security. “In one of the most delicate phases for international security in recent years, the holder of the Defence Ministry is not physically in the country and cannot return to national territory promptly,” Patuanelli stated. He emphasized the need for a clear understanding of the government’s preventative intelligence and command structure.
The Italian Foreign Minister, Antonio Tajani, is scheduled to address parliament on Monday to discuss the situation in Iran, according to ANSA news agency.
The disruption to air travel has impacted many, including Italian citizens and students in the region. A video circulating online, shared by ANSA, shows an Italian woman in Dubai describing the experience as “a nightmare,” reporting hearing missiles overhead.
