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NewsMacro

Trump Slams Meloni Over Iran War Stance, Says Italy 'Wants to Be Friends Again'

U.S. President Donald Trump publicly attacked Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Saturday, accusing Rome of denying American forces access to Italian air bases during the U.S. military campaign against Iran and suggesting she now seeks rapprochement only to improve her domestic approval ratings. Meloni rejected the characterization within hours, telling Trump on Instagram that her popularity depends on defending Italy's national interest — not on his goodwill.

By Desmond ChoiNewsroomJune 21, 20262 min read
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Key takeaways

  • U.S. President Donald Trump publicly attacked Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Saturday, accusing Italy of denying American forces access to its air bases during the U.S. military campaign against Iran.
  • Trump claimed on Truth Social that Meloni repeatedly asked for a photo with him at the G7 Summit in France and now seeks rapprochement to boost her domestic approval ratings.
  • Meloni rejected Trump's characterization on Instagram, calling his attacks 'senseless,' affirming Italy's sovereignty and telling him her popularity is 'none of your concern.'
  • The clash marks a sharp deterioration in a relationship that began warmly, with Meloni being the only EU leader invited to Trump's inauguration in January 2025.
  • The dispute unfolds against an Iran ceasefire backdrop, after Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian signed a memorandum of understanding on Wednesday halting hostilities for 60 days.

U.S. President Donald Trump publicly attacked Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Saturday, accusing Rome of denying American forces access to Italian air bases during the U.S. military campaign against Iran and suggesting she now seeks rapprochement only to improve her domestic approval ratings. Meloni rejected the characterization within hours, telling Trump on Instagram that her popularity depends on defending Italy's national interest — not on his goodwill.

Trump's Truth Social Broadside

In a Saturday morning Truth Social post, Trump claimed Meloni "asked, over and over" for a photograph with him at the G7 Summit in France this week — an assertion Meloni flatly denied to Reuters on Friday, calling it "completely made up." Trump then broadened the attack, faulting Italy for not permitting U.S. forces to use its landing strips and runways during the Iran campaign, a restriction he called "a great logistical inconvenience." The Guardian reported in March that Italy denied the use of an air base in Sicily to U.S. warplanes carrying weapons bound for the Iran operation. Trump extended criticism to the wider alliance, citing the United Kingdom, Germany, and France for similarly failing to deliver what he considered substantive military support.

Meloni Fires Back

Responding on Instagram late Saturday morning, Meloni called Trump's attacks "senseless" and "constant." She defended Italy's management of American military bases on Italian soil, stating that their use is governed by agreements "that cannot be violated as long as I am Prime Minister." She declared Italy a sovereign nation and told Trump her popularity is "none of your concern."

A Relationship Eroded by Tariffs and Iran

The exchange marks a sharp deterioration in what was once Washington's closest bilateral relationship with an EU head of government. Meloni was the only EU leader invited to Trump's inauguration in January 2025. Friction intensified when Trump's worldwide tariffs left a 15% levy on most EU imports despite Meloni's attempts to secure relief for Italy. A rare public rupture came in April when Trump attacked Pope Leo over his foreign policy views on Iran and Meloni called the president's comments "unacceptable."

Iran Ceasefire Backdrop

The dispute plays out against a shifting postwar landscape. Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian signed a memorandum of understanding on Wednesday halting hostilities for 60 days, with a condition requiring an end to military operations across all fronts, including Lebanon. U.S.-Iran talks scheduled for Friday were temporarily postponed after renewed fighting between Israel and Hezbollah before a ceasefire allowed both delegations to reschedule negotiations in Switzerland. Meloni had consistently opposed joining the conflict — telling the Italian Senate in March that "Italy is not participating and has no intention of participating" — while separately maintaining that Iran "cannot equip itself with a nuclear weapon."

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About this story

Filed by the newsroom of MarketPR on June 21, 2026. Source: foxnews.com. Indicative figures are not investment advice.

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Frequently asked

Why did Trump attack Meloni?

Trump accused Italy of denying U.S. forces access to its air bases during the Iran campaign, claimed Meloni repeatedly asked for a photo with him at the G7, and suggested she now seeks rapprochement only to improve her domestic approval ratings.

How did Meloni respond to Trump's criticism?

On Instagram, Meloni called Trump's attacks 'senseless' and 'constant,' declared Italy a sovereign nation, said its base agreements 'cannot be violated' while she is Prime Minister, and told Trump her popularity is 'none of your concern.'

What did Italy do regarding U.S. air bases during the Iran campaign?

According to The Guardian's March report, Italy denied the use of an air base in Sicily to U.S. warplanes carrying weapons bound for the Iran operation, which Trump called 'a great logistical inconvenience.'

What other issues had strained the Trump-Meloni relationship?

Tensions grew over Trump's worldwide tariffs that left a 15% levy on most EU imports despite Meloni's attempts to secure relief, and an April rupture when Meloni called Trump's attacks on Pope Leo over Iran 'unacceptable.'

What is the status of the Iran ceasefire?

Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian signed a memorandum of understanding on Wednesday halting hostilities for 60 days, with a condition requiring an end to military operations across all fronts, including Lebanon.