Tajani calls for de-escalation after 'Israeli strike' on Iran

(ANSA) - ROME, APR 19 - Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani on Friday called for prudence and de-escalation in the Middle East after Iran was attacked overnight in strikes attributed to Israel in response to the attack it suffered at the weekend.
    He told Rainews 24 there was a "diplomatic effort for de-escalation" from the EU and the G7, which Italy currently holds the duty presidency of.
    "We call on everyone to be prudent to avoid an escalation in the area," said Tajani, who is chairing a three-day meeting of G7 foreign ministers in Capri.
    He also reiterated his opposition to Israel staging an attack on Rafah, in the south of Gaza, where around one million Palestinians have taken refuge since the start of the conflict sparked by Hamas's horrific October 7 attacks.
    He also said the Italian citizens living in Iran were safe.
    "I have just spoken with our ambassador in Iran and I am following the developments of the situation following the overnight explosions in Isfahan," Tajani said.
    "We will talk about it with the foreign ministers at the G7 meeting in Capri this morning. At the moment there are no critical situations for Italians living in Iran". (ANSA).