Rome, 9 April (LaPresse) – In the Middle East, there is a need for a ‘full restoration of freedom of movement in the Strait of Hormuz, which must not be subject to any form of restriction, as seems to have been the case in recent hours’. So said Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in her statement to the Chamber of Deputies on the government’s actions. “This remains one of the most critical issues in the implementation of the agreement because, should Iran succeed in obtaining the right to impose additional duties on transit through the Strait, this could still lead to economic consequences and shifts in trade flows that are, at present, incalculable. It is therefore in the priority interest of Italy, and of its European and Western partners, that freedom of navigation be fully restored to the conditions prevailing prior to 28 February, so as to normalise the situation of tension in the energy markets, critical raw materials, fertilisers and other products essential to our economy. On this point, we are already working with the Hormuz Strait coalition promoted by the United Kingdom, in which over 30 countries are participating, to try to establish security conditions that will allow for the full restoration of freedom of navigation and supply. A contribution that, we believe, is important at this stage of negotiations,” explained the Prime Minister.