Speaking from Rome on 28 February, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani confirmed that no Italian nationals were harmed in the Iran–Gulf attacks but urged the estimated 40,000 residents, expatriates and tourists currently in the region to “remain indoors, register on the Dove Siamo nel Mondo platform and follow local embassy instructions.” The Farnesina activated its Crisis Unit at first light, establishing a hotline staffed by Arabic- and Farsi-speaking officials. Charter evacuation plans are on standby for up to 500 citizens in Iran should commercial flights remain grounded. A parallel EU videoconference of consular affairs directors—convened for 29 February—will coordinate assistance and information-sharing among member states.
![Farnesina Issues ‘Maximum Prudence’ Warning for 40,000 Italians in Gulf After Escalation]()
For travellers who suddenly need alternative transit visas or rapid documentation to reroute through hubs like Muscat or Jeddah, VisaHQ’s Italy portal (https://www.visahq.com/italy/) can expedite online visa applications for Saudi Arabia, Oman and many other destinations, providing real-time status updates and multilingual support that complements embassy guidance when consular lines are busy.
Italian multinationals with personnel in energy, defence and construction projects across the Gulf have upgraded security postures. ENI has limited non-essential travel to Kuwait and Bahrain; Fincantieri is relocating part of its supervisory team for the Doha Metro extension to Athens; and Leonardo has instructed staff in Riyadh to adopt a curfew from dusk. Travel-risk firms say demand for “confirm-your-safety” push notifications surged 300 % within two hours of the Farnesina statement. Companies should verify that employees have updated contact details in the Ministry’s Smart Traveller registry; failure to do so could delay support if evacuations become necessary. Insurance brokers note that most corporate medical-evacuation policies remain valid unless the Italian government formally designates the area as ‘war risk,’ a step not yet taken. Historically, Italy’s large diaspora in the UAE and Qatar has relied on Schengen‐zone onward links via Dubai and Doha. With those hubs temporarily constrained, the Crisis Unit is negotiating contingency slots for government-coordinated flights through Muscat and Jeddah. Employers are advised to brief travellers on the possibility of rapid itinerary changes and to ensure that passports have at least six months’ validity—required by Saudi transit rules.
For travellers who suddenly need alternative transit visas or rapid documentation to reroute through hubs like Muscat or Jeddah, VisaHQ’s Italy portal (https://www.visahq.com/italy/) can expedite online visa applications for Saudi Arabia, Oman and many other destinations, providing real-time status updates and multilingual support that complements embassy guidance when consular lines are busy.
Italian multinationals with personnel in energy, defence and construction projects across the Gulf have upgraded security postures. ENI has limited non-essential travel to Kuwait and Bahrain; Fincantieri is relocating part of its supervisory team for the Doha Metro extension to Athens; and Leonardo has instructed staff in Riyadh to adopt a curfew from dusk. Travel-risk firms say demand for “confirm-your-safety” push notifications surged 300 % within two hours of the Farnesina statement. Companies should verify that employees have updated contact details in the Ministry’s Smart Traveller registry; failure to do so could delay support if evacuations become necessary. Insurance brokers note that most corporate medical-evacuation policies remain valid unless the Italian government formally designates the area as ‘war risk,’ a step not yet taken. Historically, Italy’s large diaspora in the UAE and Qatar has relied on Schengen‐zone onward links via Dubai and Doha. With those hubs temporarily constrained, the Crisis Unit is negotiating contingency slots for government-coordinated flights through Muscat and Jeddah. Employers are advised to brief travellers on the possibility of rapid itinerary changes and to ensure that passports have at least six months’ validity—required by Saudi transit rules.
