Amid escalating tensions in the Iran conflict and growing concerns over energy security in the Mediterranean, Donald Trump has sharply criticised Italy's
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, accusing her of lacking “courage” in responding to the crisis. Questioning Italy’s approach to securing oil supplies and its broader stance on the conflict, Trump issued a stark warning about the potential threat posed by Iran. US President Donald Trump said, "Italy’s Giorgia Meloni lacks courage on Iran war. Do people like the fact that Meloni isn’t doing anything to secure the oil? Does she like it? I can’t imagine she does. I’m shocked by her. I thought she had courage, but I was wrong. Iran would blow up Italy in two minutes if it had the chance." Giorgia Meloni, Italy’s far-right leader since October 2022, has been among Donald Trump’s closest allies in Europe and has often positioned herself as a bridge between Washington and European capitals. However, Trump criticised her stance, saying she was unwilling to involve Italy in the Iran conflict, sparked by joint US-Israeli strikes, despite the country’s heavy reliance on energy supplies from the region. The interview was published less than 24 hours after Meloni condemned as "unacceptable" Trump's criticism of Pope Leo XIV, after the pontiff's repeated calls for an end to the war in the Middle East.
