Imagine the Mediterranean, Malta’s backyard, suddenly echoing with the distant rumble of geopolitical tensions. That’s the reality as Italy, our neighbour across the sea, finds itself at the heart of the Hormuz crisis. But how did we get here, and what does it mean for the Maltese Islands?

Let’s rewind to August 2019. Iran seizes a British-flagged tanker in the Strait of Hormuz, and the UK responds by impounding an Iranian vessel in Gibraltar. The stage is set for a high-stakes game of chess, with Italy caught in the middle. As the EU’s third-largest economy and a significant player in the Mediterranean, Italy has a lot at stake.

Rome walks a tightrope, balancing its strategic partnership with the US and its economic ties with Iran. Italy’s Foreign Minister, Luigi Di Maio, visits Tehran, calling for de-escalation. “We want to avoid a military escalation,” he says, echoing the sentiment of many Europeans who fear a repeat of the Iraq War.

Italy’s diplomatic dance continues. It supports the UK’s call for the release of the British tanker but also pushes for the release of the Iranian vessel in Gibraltar. It’s a delicate balancing act, one that reflects Italy’s commitment to multilateralism and its desire to maintain open lines of communication with both the US and Iran.

While Italy’s diplomats are busy navigating the complexities of the Hormuz crisis, its navy is on active duty. Operation Irini, the EU’s mission to enforce the UN arms embargo on Libya, sees Italian ships patrolling the Mediterranean. The mission, launched in March 2020, is a testament to Italy’s commitment to regional security and stability.

Closer to home, Malta’s Grand Harbour has seen its fair share of Italian naval visits. In 2019, the Italian navy’s flagship, the aircraft carrier Cavour, made a stop in Valletta. The visit was a symbol of the strong ties between the two Mediterranean nations, ties that are now being tested by the Hormuz crisis.

But the Hormuz crisis isn’t just about geopolitics and naval missions. It’s also about food security. The Strait of Hormuz is a vital shipping lane for oil, but it’s also a crucial route for food. Around 30% of the world’s wheat and barley exports pass through the strait, including those from Italy.

Italy is the world’s largest olive oil producer, and much of its olive oil is exported. Malta, with its Mediterranean diet, is one of Italy’s key customers. In 2019, Malta imported €12 million worth of Italian olive oil, making Italy our second-largest supplier after Spain.

So, what does the Hormuz crisis mean for Malta’s olive oil supply? For now, it’s business as usual. The crisis hasn’t yet disrupted shipping lanes, and olive oil prices remain stable. But the threat is real. A prolonged crisis or a military conflict could lead to supply disruptions and price hikes, affecting both Italian producers and Maltese consumers.

Malta’s Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Rights, Anton Refalo, acknowledges the risk. “We’re monitoring the situation closely,” he says. “We’re in regular contact with our Italian counterparts, and we’re working together to ensure the continuity of supply.”

As Italy navigates the Hormuz crisis, Malta watches and waits. Our islands may be small, but we’re not powerless. We can use our strategic location to facilitate dialogue and cooperation. We can also use our influence in the EU to push for a diplomatic resolution to the crisis.

Malta can play a role in mitigating the crisis’s impact on food security. Our ports can serve as an alternative route for Italian olive oil exports, reducing dependence on the Strait of Hormuz. Our government can also work with Italian producers to diversify their export routes and ensure a steady supply of olive oil to Malta.

In the end, the Hormuz crisis is a reminder that geopolitics can have real, tangible effects on our daily lives. It’s a call to action, a challenge for Malta to use its unique position to promote peace, security, and stability in the Mediterranean.