	italy worried at rising tension after gulf attack italian prime minister giovanni goria told the cabinet on monday he was worried about the increased tension in the gulf but said america s retaliation against iran had been limited a statement issued after a cabinet meeting said goria had been informed by the united states that it would take action against an iranian target in the gulf but had not known beforehand that the action would involve an attack on an oil platform the prime minister expressed his concern over the possible consequences of increased tension in the gulf at the same time recognizing the limited character of the american military reaction to the attacks it has suffered in the past few days the statement said goria said italy s own s were far from the platform at the time of the attack and the fleet had been advised to follow events with caution italy has sent eight s including three frigates and three minesweepers to the gulf to protect italian merchant ping there reuter 
