US President Donald Trump has launched a scathing attack on Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, accusing her of being 'afraid to take action' against Iran. The criticism comes after Meloni told a recent news conference that Italy would not support any US-led military intervention in the country.
The exchange highlights the growing divisions within Western nations over how to address Tehran's nuclear programme. While the US and some European allies have been pushing for tougher sanctions, others like Italy and Germany are urging caution.
Speaking at a press conference in Washington, Trump said: 'Italy is not doing enough on Iran. They're afraid to take action.' He claimed that Meloni's government was 'more interested in talking than taking action' against Tehran.
Meloni hit back at the criticism, saying that Italy's stance was 'neutral' and aimed at preventing a wider conflict in the region. She added: 'We are not supporting any military intervention, but we are also not opposing it.'
The exchange reflects deepening divisions within NATO, with some members pushing for more robust action against Iran while others are urging caution.