Italy Begins Evacuating Its Citizens from UAE

Italy has started evacuating hundreds of its nationals from the United Arab Emirates, estimating that there are currently around 30,000 Italian nationals in the country. 

Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani told the Italian Senate that 98 citizens had already been moved to Oman and were expected to return to Rome, while about 200 Italian students stranded in Dubai will be evacuated on a UAE flight to Milan on Tuesday.

He explained that authorities are setting up coordinated evacuation routes through embassies to help citizens move to countries where outbound flights are still available. 

“We are creating corridors and networks of embassies to facilitate the movement of Italians to countries where there are flights available,” Tajani said.

Plans are also in place to arrange charter flights for thousands of Italians transiting through Dubai from destinations such as the Maldives.

Tajani added that fewer than 500 Italians remain in Iran, with contingency measures ready to evacuate them through Azerbaijan if the situation deteriorates.

“In case the situation worsens, we are ready to organise a convoy within a few hours. On the ground on the Azerbaijani side of the border, the bases are already ready,” he said.

Meanwhile, Defence Minister Guido Crosetto said around 2,500 Italian troops stationed across the Gulf region are safe. 

He also noted that Italy is considering requests from regional partners for support in air defence and counter-drone operations.

The United States and Israel launched a war against Iran on Saturday, prompting retaliatory missile and drone attacks by Tehran against US allies in the Gulf region.