Trump turns on Meloni over Iran stance

US President Donald Trump has publicly criticised Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, a leader who until recently was seen as one of his closest allies in Europe, over her refusal to align with his position on Iran.

“I’m shocked at her. I thought she had courage, but I was wrong,” he said in an interview with Italian daily Corriere della Sera on Tuesday.

The remarks landed a day after Meloni pushed back against Trump on another front, calling his criticism of Pope Leo XIV “unacceptable” after the pontiff repeatedly urged an end to the war in the Middle East. The exchange highlights a widening gap between the two leaders, who had previously maintained a relatively close political relationship.

“She’s unacceptable because she doesn’t mind that Iran has a nuclear weapon and would blow up Italy in two minutes if they had the chance,” Trump said in English.

Meloni, who has led Italy since October 2022, has often positioned herself as a bridge between Washington and European capitals, particularly when their approaches diverge. That role now appears under strain.

Trump said the two had not spoken this month, adding it had been “not in a long time”, and criticised her stance within NATO. “She doesn’t help us with NATO.

“She doesn’t want to help get rid of a nuclear-weaponed Iran. Very sad … She’s much different than I thought,” he said.

His criticism extended beyond Italy. Trump described NATO as a “paper tiger” and accused Europe more broadly of lacking willingness to defend key strategic routes. He pointed specifically to the Strait of Hormuz, arguing that European countries depend on it for energy but are not prepared to act militarily to secure it.

Trump also suggested a broader shift in Italy under Meloni’s leadership. “She’s not the same person. Italy is not the same country. Immigration is killing Italy and all of Europe,” he said.

In Italy, the response cut across political lines. Meloni’s allies and opponents alike pushed back on the tone of Trump’s remarks, framing them as a break from the language of partnership that has traditionally defined US-Italy relations.

“We are and remain staunch supporters of Western unity and steadfast allies of the United States, but this unity is built on mutual loyalty, respect, and honesty,” Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said on X.

He added that Trump had previously viewed Meloni as a courageous leader and “he was not mistaken, but she is a woman who never shies away from saying what she thinks.”

Elly Schlein, leader of the centre-left Democratic Party, criticised what she called a “serious lack of respect” from Trump. “Our constitution is clear – Italy repudiates war,” she said in parliament.

The political backdrop is already tense. On Tuesday, Italy also moved to suspend a defence agreement with Israel covering military equipment exchanges and joint research.

“In view of the current situation, the government has decided to suspend the automatic renewal of the defence agreement with Israel,” Meloni said, according to Italian media.