ROME, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- Italy on Wednesday appealed for de-escalating tension between the United States and Iran, after the most recent developments occurred on the Iraqi soil.
Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) on Wednesday targeted U.S. bases in Iraq including al-Asad and Harir Camp to the north of Erbil with a second wave of surface-to-surface missiles.
The attacks came after Qassem Soleimani, commander of the Quds Force of the IRGC, was killed in a U.S. airstrike near Baghdad International Airport on Friday.
Rome confirmed none of the Italian soldiers deployed in Iraq -- including those positioned in the bases near Erbil -- were injured in the Iranian attacks, and yet expressed concern for their safety.
"Our first thought goes out to our soldiers engaged in the country, to whom we express closeness and gratitude," Foreign Affairs Minister Luigi Di Maio said in a statement.
"We reiterate our firm appeal to all actors involve to exercise moderation, and to refrain from further mutual provocation."
Di Maio also stressed the military option was not "acceptable".
"Further instability across the region will impact directly and in the long-term on global security," he warned.
"Along with its European partners, Italy is ready to support any action to encourage dialogue and a constructive discussion within the Gulf region."
Still on Wednesday, Minister Di Maio flew to Egypt for the third stop of a round of diplomatic talks held with partners on both the U.S-Iran crisis and the situation in Libya, where military tension was running high as well.
Currently, Italy has authorized the deployment in Iraq of up to 1,100 troops, 305 vehicles and 12 aircraft for the Global Coalition against Daesh (also known as ISIL, Islamic State, or ISIS), according to the latest report provided by the parliament.
