[NOTICE: This episode of Grandangolo was recorded before the announcement that “the Strait of Hormuz is open but Iranian ports remain closed”.]

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The dramatic global situation is portrayed by the mainstream political and media establishment as a kind of stage on which the main players move according to their different characters, withDonald Trumptaking centre stage. And here is Trump attacking the Pope, calling him“weak and terrible on foreign policy”, backed by Vice-President Vance, who argues that “the Pope should be more cautious when speaking about theology”. And here is Trump posting a portrait of himself dressed as Jesus on his social media account Truth, and another image on a social media platform for his supporters showing him being protected by Jesus.Pope Leo XIV, without directly naming Trump, declares that “God, torn apart by wars, does not side with the bullies” and that “the disciples of Christ never side with those who once wielded the sword and today drop bombs”. And here is Trump again: when Meloni describes his words about the Pope as “unacceptable”, he declares himself “shocked”, adding “I thought Meloni had courage”. Then Trump doubles down, declaring: “We no longer have the same relationship with those who refuse to help”. Trump remains silent on the fact that Sigonella and other bases in Italy are increasingly being used by the United States for the war against Iran.

How can we explain the fact that Trump first attacked Iran with the stated aim of reopening the Strait of Hormuz (which Iran had blocked in response to the US attack), and now Trump himself is blocking the Strait of Hormuz by halting maritime traffic in and out of Iranian ports and allowing only a few ships from other countries to pass through?

A graph published by the Washington Post shows that almost all of Iran’s exports and imports, which exceeded $200 billion in 2010, were directed towards Asia and Europe, primarily China. Therefore, the blockade of Iranian ports, and consequently of the Strait of Hormuz, through which 21% of the world’s oil and 25% of its liquefied natural gas pass, affects not only Iran, but also Asia and Europe. At the same time, the United States benefits, as it is increasing its energy exports to Asia and Europe by also using the Venezuelan oil it has seized. However, this is causing disruption to energy supply chains and consequently triggering a global economic crisis.

Similarly revealing is the case of the Russian LNG tanker Arctic Metagaz, which was struck by a Ukrainian naval drone on 3 March and is now adrift in the central Mediterranean, moving north-west between Malta and Linosa in Italy. The situation is critical due to the poor weather conditions. It is carrying approximately 60,000 tonnes of LNG and hundreds of tonnes of diesel fuel, which has an explosive calorific value equivalent to that of dozens of atomic bombs. Maritime authorities have warned all vessels to keep at least 10 nautical miles (almost 19 km) away from the wreck. Where did the catastrophic Ukrainian attack on the Russian ship originate? A well-documented investigation by Radio France Internationale reveals that over 200 Ukrainian military officers and experts are deployed in Libya, in agreement with the Tripoli government. They are mainly stationed at the Air Force Academy in Misrata. Italian, Turkish and US forces are also present there. A British intelligence centre is also based there. The Ukrainians have a second base equipped for the launch of aerial and naval drones in the town of Zaouïa, about 50 kilometres north of Tripoli. Added to this is the documented claim, made by Moscow, that components of Ukrainian drones are manufactured in 12 countries, including Italy, the United Kingdom, Germany and Israel. Italy is therefore involved not only in the war against Iran, but also in the war against Russia.

Finally, regarding the Meloni government’s decision to suspend the automatic renewal of the military agreement between Italy and Israel, which is currently unpopular, it should be noted that this does not affect the growing cooperation between the two countries’ defence industries. Leonardo, in which the Ministry of Economy and Finance holds a 30% stake, supplies weapons and aircraft to the Israeli Ministry of Defence, Israeli Air Force, and Israeli Navy. Leonardo is the manufacturer of the OTO 76/62 naval gun fitted to Israeli warships used to enforce the naval blockade of Gaza. Leonardo is also the supplier of the Israeli Air Force’s M-346 training aircraft, which are now being converted by Leonardo itself into attack aircraft. Leonardo is also participating in the F-35 Lightning II programme, which includes the supply of key components and logistical services for Israel’s F-35 fighter jets.

This article was originally published in Italian on Grandangolo, Byoblu TV.

Manlio Dinucci,award-winning author, geopolitical analyst and geographer, Pisa, Italy. He is a Research Associate of the Centre for Research on Globalization (CRG).

Source: Global Research