Overview
- Trump, in a Fox News interview Wednesday, said Giorgia Meloni was “negative” on the Iran crisis and declared the U.S. no longer has the same relationship with Italy, pointing to Rome’s reliance on oil that transits the Strait of Hormuz.
- Meloni avoided a direct reply and, during her meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky in Rome Wednesday, stressed the need to keep the Euro‑Atlantic alliance solid and reaffirmed Italy’s support for Ukraine.
- She said Italy is ready to help protect freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz when conditions are safe, as European leaders organize a Paris‑led “Willing for Hormuz” effort expected to proceed without U.S. participation; Italian outlets reported she is weighing attending in person.
- Vice President J.D. Vance criticized Pope Leone XIV again, invoking World War II to defend U.S. strikes on Iran, which broadened the confrontation to include the Vatican after Trump’s earlier remarks about the Pope.
- Italian officials and commentators said a full rupture is unlikely, yet warned the friction could strain NATO cooperation, tariff disputes, LNG and energy planning, and cross‑border industry ties given the large U.S. military presence and deep trade links in Italy.