Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Taiani said on Monday that the threats of the Iranian-backed Yemeni Houthi group will not intimidate his country.

Taiani, who also holds the position of Italian Deputy Prime Minister, said in statements to reporters in the capital, Rome, that his country will not be afraid of any threat emanating from the Houthis.

He added: “We support the commercial movement (in the Red Sea). We do not attack anyone, but we do not want others to attack us either.”

Taiani indicated that commercial movement in the region should be free, stressing their intention to respond in defense of Italian commercial ships if the ships were attacked.

It is noteworthy that a member of the Supreme Political Council of the Houthis, Muhammad Ali Al-Houthi, previously said in statements to the Italian newspaper “La Repubblica” that Italy must remain neutral in the face of Israeli attacks on Palestine, and that Italy will become a target if it participates in the attacks on Yemen.< /p>