In the Libyan incident, authorities said port traffic and energy supplies were not affected, and the vessel involved was bound for Port Said, Egypt.

Russia accused Ukraine of using naval drones to attack the LNG carrier Arctic Metagaz off the Libyan coast, leading to its sinking; all crew were rescued.

Officials argue Italy is quantitatively safe on energy security because of high storage levels and diversified sources, reducing immediate risk of shortfalls.

Tensions in the Middle East have intensified as Israeli and U.S. strikes on Iran trigger retaliatory actions against energy infrastructure in Gulf states, disrupting the Strait of Hormuz—a critical conduit for about one-fifth of global oil and LNG flows.

The Strait of Hormuz has effectively been blocked for four days amid the broader conflict, raising concerns about energy shipments and global markets.

The conflict involves Iranian targets retaliating against Gulf allies, with implications for a region that accounts for roughly one-third of global oil production and heightened risk to international energy routes.

Italy’s Energy Minister signaled that coal-fired power plants could be brought back into service if the global energy crisis worsens, though Italy keeps a secure posture due to diversification and storage.

Italy maintains a diversified gas supply from Norway, Algeria, and Azerbaijan, with storage at about 47%, well above the EU average, contributing to energy security.

The crisis may prompt a shift in Italy’s energy policy toward ensuring power reliability even if it means prioritizing supply security over environmental or policy preferences.

The Arctic Metagaz, a sanctioned LNG carrier near the Libyan coast, was involved in the incident; authorities warned ships away from its wreckage site.

These developments are framed in remarks given to TgCom24, highlighting Italy’s energy security posture amid Gulf crisis.

Ukraine has not commented on the recent accusation, while Kyiv had previously claimed a separate drone attack on a Russian tanker in the Mediterranean last December.