Defence Minister Guido Crosetto said Thursday that, while he did not expect Italy to come under direct attack from Iran following the outbreak of the war in the Middle East, Iranian terrorist groups could pose a threat.

“Direct attacks on Italy by Iran are not currently being taken into consideration,” Crosetto told Rtl 102.5 radio.

“The issue is terrorism. There are estimated to be hundreds of Iranian sleeper cells scattered around the world – people who can be activated at any time for an act of terrorism. They have been dormant for years and are located all over the world. This is the biggest problem”.

In a separate interview, the minister said it would be best if any naval mission to protect shipping in the Strait of Hormuz from Iranian attacks were conducted under the aegis of the United Nations.

“A European fleet would be perceived as a NATO fleet, and, therefore, as a fleet entering the war alongside the United States and Israel,” Crosetto told Rai television. The UN flag should be used instead – a fleet that brings together Europe, China, Asia, India, and all the countries of the world”.

He also talked to Rtl 102.5 about this.

“If we need to organize a convoy to secure Hormuz, we need to involve a coalition of all nations, starting with the UN, so that Iran doesn’t see it as an attack,” he said.

“(UN Secretary General Antonio) Guterres is at the European Council today, and I hope he can be convinced to take this path and that all European leaders will move in this direction”.