Italy is quietly reaffirming its role as a European bridge to Iran, with Foreign Ministry Secretary General Riccardo Guariglia’s visit to Tehran signalling a renewed push for bilateral dialogue amid ongoing nuclear talks. Beyond strengthening ties, Rome aims to support regional stability and pragmatic engagement with Iran, leveraging historical relations and its diplomatic access to key Gulf actors
Decoding Guariglia in Tehran. Italy’s Foreign Ministry Secretary General, Ambassador Riccardo Guariglia, met with Iran’s counterparts in Tehran on June 7 and 8 to relaunch bilateral dialogue.
- The visit is part of a broader diplomatic effort to strengthen engagement with Iran; nuclear talks involving the US are ongoing.
- The fifth round of Iran-Italy bilateral consultations ended with a shared commitment to deepen ties based on mutual respect and interests.
- Guariglia’s visit to Tehran underscores Italy’s quiet yet significant role as a European interlocutor with Iran, built on historical ties and consistent, informal yet diplomatic engagement in nuclear talks.
The context. In recent months, new rounds of US-Iran talks have taken place in Muscat and Rome, hosted by the Omani embassy.
- During Donald Trump’s first term as US President, Italy secured temporary waivers from US sanctions to maintain channels with Tehran, recognising long-standing bilateral relations rooted in Italy’s First Republic.
- Behind the scenes, Rome aims to support the pragmatic elements within Iran’s new political phase, represented by President Masoud Pezeshkian, and prevent hard-line factions from prevailing in Tehran.
Strategic angle. Italy’s objective goes beyond the bilateral dimension.
- Rome seeks to promote stability in key regions of interest—from the Persian Gulf to the Red Sea—where Iran maintains influence through both soft, hard and sharp power.
What we’re watching. The next round of nuclear talks is planned for the end of the weekend, again in Muscat—but they can potentially return to Rome for further steps.
- Italy’s positioning as it engages with Tehran while also backing détente efforts in the Gulf, where allies such as Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and Qatar are seeking to normalise ties with Iran.
- Main attention on Iran’s posture on key regional files where it supports non-state actors such as the Houthis or Hezbollah, which is a key player in instability in Lebanon and Iraq’s fragile balance.
