Overview
- U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio wrapped up two days of repair talks in Rome and at the Vatican, as Italian foreign minister Antonio Tajani said Europe needs America and America needs Europe.
- Tajani pledged Italian navy help to clear mines in the Strait of Hormuz once a permanent ceasefire with Iran is in place and said Italy will keep its UN peacekeeping presence in Lebanon.
- Rubio met Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to steady ties after President Trump’s tariff threats and attacks on Pope Leo XIV, as Italy stresses that any offensive use of its bases requires parliamentary approval.
- The State Department said Rubio pressed for freedom of navigation in key sea lanes, an end to the war in Ukraine, and protection of Western economic interests.
- Rubio told reporters the U.S. expects an Iranian response to diplomacy later Friday, while a new missile and drone strike reported by the UAE after U.S. moves to block threats in the Strait of Hormuz showed how fragile the ceasefire remains.