Trump Criticizes Meloni for Refusing Iran War Support
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- Trump criticized Meloni for calling his criticism of Pope Leo XIV “unacceptable” and for not backing the U.S.-Israel war on Iran.
- Trump told Fox News that Meloni had been negative and that anyone who turned down help with the Iran situation would not have the same relationship, and later told Corriere della Sera they hadn’t spoken in a long time.
- Nathalie Tocci said Trump’s attacks could be a “godsend” for Meloni because Trump has become toxic across Europe.
- Meloni’s Italy refused U.S. bombers landing at a Sicilian air base and announced it will not automatically renew a defense agreement with Israel after warning shots hit an Italian convoy in southern Lebanon.
- Meloni made a two‑day solo tour of three Gulf states to secure gas and oil supplies but returned without any formal deals.
- Adolfo Urso asserted that U.S.-Italy relations remain solid and that alliance ties within NATO are unchanged despite the dispute.
- Roberto D’Alimonte warned that the economic impact of the Iran war will make the final 18 months of Meloni’s mandate challenging, as Italians focus on gas bill costs for her government.
Why it matters: Trump’s outburst exposes a widening rift in the U.S.–Italy partnership, limiting Washington’s ability to count on Italian support for the Iran conflict while giving Meloni a political opening as she wrestles with post‑referendum fallout and soaring energy costs for her government.
