Meloni's trip to the Gulf, which has been targeted on a daily basis by Iranian missile and drone attacks in retaliation for US-Israeli strikes, was not announced in advance.

According to the Qatari press agency QNA, Meloni "arrived in Doha on Saturday morning on a working visit to the country", and was welcomed by Mohammed al-Khulaifi, the state minister for foreign affairs, as well as the Italian ambassador.

The aim of the trip "is to strengthen relations with these countries and repeat Italy's support against Iranian attacks", an Italian government source told AFP on Friday, adding that the Gulf was a "crucial source of oil and gas for Italy".

Italy is highly dependent on energy imports and has been eyeing rising energy prices with growing concern.

The source said Meloni was the first leader of a European Union or NATO country to travel to the Gulf since the war broke out on February 28 with a wave of US-Israeli attacks that killed Iran's supreme leader.

The far-right prime minister is one of the European leaders closest to US President Donald Trump.

But she has insisted Italy does not want to join in the war effort, despite Trump urging other countries to help secure the Strait of Hormuz, which is vital to oil and gas shipments and has been all but closed since the start of the war.

saa/smw/jsa

CROWN HOLDINGS