The President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, has convened the Supreme Defense Council at the Quirinale Palace for Friday 13 March at 10am. They are on the agenda, as stated in a note from the Presidency of the Republic «the war in Iran and the Middle East» and «the analysis of the international situation and the effects of the ongoing crisis».
The call comes at a time of strong international tension. The escalation of the conflict involving Iran and the entire Middle East is producing geopolitical, economic and security consequences that worry many countries, including Italy. In this context, the Head of State deemed it appropriate to bring together the institutional body which represents the main forum for discussion between the political authorities responsible for national security.
During his mandate, Mattarella chaired the Supreme Defense Council approximately 20 times. Normally the Council meets twice a yearo, but given the international situation, it was quite predictable that there would be a new appointment. In the last year the Council has convened three times: the November 17, 2025 to discuss the twelfth aid package for Ukraine and a national security strategy, on May 8, 2025 on European rearmament and Italian participation in NATO and EU initiatives. And finally to March 2025with a meeting on space threats and common European defense.
The March 13 meeting also coincidentally falls on the same day in which the Italian Church promoted a day of fasting and prayer for peace, an initiative that aims to draw the attention of the faithful and public opinion to the drama of ongoing conflicts, from Ukraine to the Middle East.
What is the Supreme Defense Council
It is one of the institutional bodies that deal with issues related to the security of the country. It is provided for by the Constitution and represents the forum in which the main political and technical issues concerning national defense are examined.
The organ is mentioned in article 87 of the Constitution and was established in 1950 with a specific law. Its operating rules were then integrated into the Military Code which came into force in 2010.
The Council is chaired by the President of the Republic and includes the Prime Minister and some key government ministers: Foreign Affairs, Home Affairs, Economy and Finance, Defense and Business and Made in Italy. Among the members there is also the Chief of Defense Staff.
The undersecretary of the Presidency of the Council, the secretary general of the Presidency of the Republic and the secretary of the Supreme Defense Council also normally participate in the meetings. Depending on the topics covered, other ministers, the chiefs of staff of the Armed Forces, the general commander of the Carabinieri or experts with specific skills in the military and scientific fields may be invited.
The role and functions
The Supreme Defense Council represents a tool for discussion between the main political leaders of national security. It allows the Head of State to know in depth the government’s positions on defense issues and constitutes a stable institutional space in which to discuss strategic scenarios and possible lines of direction.
It is up to the President of the Republic to call meetings and chair the proceedings. The law requires the Council to meet at least twice a year, but it can also be convened on other occasions when the international situation requires it, as in the case of the current crisis in the Middle East.
The Council does not exercise direct command over the Armed Forces. Its task is above all political guidance and coordination: Here strategies and scenarios are analysed, while operational decisions are then up to the government and the competent ministries.
