Trump blasts Italian leader Giorgia Meloni over Iran stance
發佈日期: 2026-04-15 21:22
TVB News
Donald Trump has lashed out at one of his closest allies, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, over her failure to join the US-Israeli attacks on Iran.
Earlier, Meloni pushed back on Trump's broadside against Pope Leo XIV and announced suspension of automatic renewal of Italy's defense agreement with Israel.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni was at the international wine fair "Vinitaly" in Verona on Tuesday and affirmed that Italy sees the United States as one of its most important allies. But Meloni pointed out that alliances require candour and claimed that they would act accordingly when there are things they do not agree with.
The feud between Pope Leo XIV and the US president escalated in recent days.
Trump repeatedly said Leo was "weak" on crime and captive to the "Radical Left" after the Chicago-born Pope criticised Trump's threats to Iran.
Meloni expressed her solidarity with Pope Leo, saying Trump's aggressive rhetoric with regards to the pontiff is "unacceptable."
She wrote in a statement that the Pope is the head of the Catholic Church and it is "right and proper" that he calls for peace and condemn all forms of war.
The Italian leader further announced the suspension of a defense pact with Israel involving the exchange of military equipment and technology research in light of the current situation.
The agreement signed in 2016 is set to be renewed this year following a five-year extension in 2021.
Trump, in response, told an Italian newspaper that he's "shocked" at Meloni for not wanting to help the US in the war.
He bemoaned Europeans are paying the world's highest energy costs - energy that comes from the Strait of Hormuz - yet Italy and other NATO members are reluctant to join the fighting to reopen the waterway.
Trump also used the interview to launch a fresh attack on the Pope, saying he "has no idea what's going on" and doesn't understand Iran's nuclear threat.
