Trump claims Meloni's popularity is falling in Italy after rejecting US on Iran
Washington: US President Donald Trump has intensified his public clash with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, claiming her popularity in Italy is declining because she refused to back Washington's position on preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons.
In a fresh social media post on Saturday, Trump suggested Meloni's domestic standing had weakened after she distanced herself from the United States during tensions over Iran, while also reviving his controversial claim that she repeatedly sought a photo opportunity with him during the recent Group of Seven (G7) summit.
"She is doing poorly in Italy with her level of popularity," Trump wrote, arguing that the situation may be linked to her decision to turn down the United States on key Iran-related issues.
The latest remarks mark a major escalation in a diplomatic spat that erupted earlier this week when Trump told an Italian television broadcaster that Meloni had repeatedly requested a photograph with him during the G7 gathering. The Italian leader dismissed the claim as entirely untrue, triggering a wave of criticism from her government and political allies.
Trump doubled down on the allegation on Saturday, insisting that Meloni had asked "over and over" for a picture during the summit and claiming he eventually agreed out of sympathy.
The dispute has already created tensions between Washington and Rome. Italy's foreign minister reportedly cancelled a planned visit to the United States after Trump's initial comments, while members of Meloni's administration publicly rallied behind the prime minister.
Trump also criticised Italy's stance during the recent Iran conflict, accusing Rome of refusing to provide military facilities for American operations despite the United States' role within NATO. He said Italy had declined requests involving the use of airfields and runways during the crisis, a decision he portrayed as a lack of support from a long-time ally.
Italy has maintained that the use of military bases for operations in the Middle East requires parliamentary approval. Earlier this year, Rome reportedly did not approve the use of a Sicilian base for certain US military missions without following domestic procedures.
The US president further claimed that Meloni is now seeking to repair relations following an initial understanding reached between Washington and Tehran aimed at easing hostilities.
With AP inputs