Italy’s Gas Supply Disrupted by Iranian Attacks

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni traveled to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates starting April 3, 2026, to secure energy supplies and support regional allies following Iranian attacks that disrupted liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports from Qatar.

The diplomatic mission follows a significant disruption in energy flows caused by Iranian strikes on a key Qatari gas plant. These attacks resulted in the loss of 17 percent of Qatar’s LNG export capacity, according to QatarEnergy’s CEO and state minister for energy affairs.

The instability has forced QatarEnergy to declare force majeure and cancel long-term LNG contracts, potentially for up to five years. This action affects Italy, China, South Korea, and Belgium, removing approximately 12.8 million tons of LNG annually from the global market, which represents about 3 percent of the total global supply.

Impact on Italian Energy Markets

The disruption has caused immediate volatility in European energy markets, triggering a 35 percent increase in European gas futures. Before the conflict, Qatari LNG covered approximately 10 percent of Italy’s total gas consumption.

Italy was notified that its Gulf supplier extended a pause in LNG deliveries due to the near-closure of the Strait of Hormuz. 10 cargoes scheduled between April and mid-June 2026 will not be shipped.

In addition to gas concerns, Italy is monitoring its oil imports, as Middle East oil accounted for roughly 12 percent of Italy’s total oil imports last year.

Diversification and Alternative Sources

To offset the loss of Qatari supplies, Italy is pursuing a multi-pronged diversification strategy involving several international partners.

• United States: Italy will begin receiving LNG from the Golden Pass LNG facility in the United States starting in June 2026.
• Algeria: Rome is actively seeking increased gas imports from Algeria and Prime Minister Meloni scheduled travel to the North African nation to secure these supplies.
• Azerbaijan: Italy is conducting negotiations with Azerbaijan to secure additional gas supplies.
• Africa: Italy is exploring pipeline gas options from Libya and LNG imports from Mozambique.

The shift toward African and American sources reflects a strategic pivot away from Middle Eastern dependence driven by the instability caused by the conflict launched by the United States and Israel at the end of February 2026.

Diplomatic and Strategic Objectives

Prime Minister Meloni’s visit to the Gulf states is the first by a European Union leader to Saudi Arabia since the conflict began. The trip aims to show support for Gulf partners facing Iranian attacks while protecting Italy’s energy security.

While seeking energy stability, the Italian government has indicated it will uphold agreements regarding U.S. Bases but will not enter the war.