Finance
Italy's stranded defence minister to return from Dubai on military aircraft
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on March 1, 2026
1 min readLast updated: March 1, 2026
Quick Summary
Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto, stranded in Dubai due to widespread airspace closures following U.S.–Israeli strikes on Iran, will return to Italy aboard a military aircraft, choosing to leave his family in Dubai for safety reasons.
Italian Defence Minister Flies Home from Dubai Amid Flight Suspensions
Defence Minister's Unexpected Return Journey
Minister Stranded in Dubai
MILAN, March 1 (Reuters) - Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto said on Sunday that he was returning to Italy from Dubai, where he had been stranded with his family after flights were suspended because of the U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran.
Travel Plans and Family Situation
Initial Departure from Rome
The minister left Rome on Friday evening aboard a civilian flight to join his family, already in Dubai on holiday. He was scheduled to return to Italy on Saturday afternoon.
Decision to Return Alone
"I'm returning on my own to avoid exposing others to further danger, since anyone travelling with me in the current circumstances could be put at risk. I'm returning on a military aircraft and I will leave my family here," he wrote on X.
Official Reporting
(Reporting by Gianluca SemeraroEditing by David Goodman)
Key Takeaways
- •Crosetto was stranded in Dubai because regional airspace closures and flight suspensions halted commercial return options (yahoo.com).
- •He opted to return solo on a military aircraft to minimize risks to others, leaving his family behind temporarily (yahoo.com).
- •The flight disruption stems from U.S.–Israeli attacks on Iran, which prompted widespread airspace shutdowns across the Middle East, cancelling thousands of flights including those to/from Dubai (apnews.com)
References
Frequently Asked Questions about Italy's stranded defence minister to return from Dubai on military aircraft
1Why was Italy's Defence Minister stranded in Dubai?
He was stranded due to suspended flights following U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran.
2How did Guido Crosetto return to Italy from Dubai?
He returned on a military aircraft to reduce risks for others.
3Why did Crosetto leave his family in Dubai?
He wanted to avoid exposing his family to further danger given the circumstances.
4What prompted the suspension of flights from Dubai?
Flights were suspended after attacks by the U.S. and Israel on Iran.
