Rome: Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto said Sunday he was making his way back to Italy after being stranded in Dubai as Iran launched strikes in retaliation against US and Israeli attacks.
Crosetto had reportedly travelled to Dubai on Friday for a private visit and was stuck like thousands of travellers after Iran struck targets across the Gulf following Saturday’s attacks.
“I am returning to Italy,” Crosetto said on X.
“I will of course be doing it on a military plane,” he said, reposting a message about an Italian air force plane taking off in the direction of the United Arab Emirates.
He said he would be paying for the flight himself and would not be bringing his family.
“I will obviously return alone to avoid putting in danger people who by travelling with me in the current conditions could be at risk,” he said.
Some opposition politicians have criticised Crosetto’s decision to travel to Dubai on a personal visit and have called for his resignation.
Crosetto said the Iranian missile attack on Dubai “was not considered among the scenarios for an Iranian response” since during last year’s US and Israeli strikes on Iran there was no retaliation against the United Arab Emirates and “Dubai airport stayed open”.
He said his presence on the ground in Dubai had in fact been “useful” and he was still able to attend meetings with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Rome via video link.
