The remarks come amid growing tensions with Italian PM Giorgia Meloni, who has opposed US military action against Iran and pushed for diplomacy instead.<\/p>\n
US President Donald Trump has said he is \u201cstill considering\u201d relocating American troops from military bases in Italy, claiming Rome did not support Washington when it was needed.<\/p>\n
Speaking to Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera in a phone interview, Trump reportedly said, \u201cItaly was not there when we needed it, and I am considering moving our troops from Italian bases.\u201d<\/p>\n
The remarks come amid growing tensions between Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni over the Iran conflict. Meloni has refused to back US military action against Iran and has repeatedly called for a diplomatic approach.<\/p>\n
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Italy\u2019s ANSA news agency had earlier reported that Trump was considering reducing US military presence in both Italy and Spain, accusing European allies of failing to support the US-Israeli campaign against Iran.<\/p>\n
Reacting to Trump\u2019s remarks, Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto said he \u201ccannot understand\u201d the reasoning behind the comments. He added that Italy is currently working with allied countries on a mission in the Strait of Hormuz focused on mine clearance and safeguarding maritime navigation.<\/p>\n
In April, Trump sharply criticised Meloni after she opposed American attacks involving Pope Leo and distanced Italy from the Iran conflict. After Meloni called Trump\u2019s remarks against the Pope unacceptable, Trump responded by saying that \u201cshe is the one who is unacceptable.\u201d<\/p>\n
Trump also accused Meloni of not taking the Iran threat seriously and alleged that Italy wanted the US to \u201cdo the work\u201d while continuing to benefit from oil routes linked to the Strait of Hormuz. He further questioned Italy\u2019s commitment to NATO and criticised Rome\u2019s reluctance to support Washington\u2019s position on Iran.<\/p>\n
Meloni, however, has maintained that Italy will not participate in military operations led by the US and Israel. In April 2026, her government suspended Italy\u2019s long-standing defence cooperation agreement with Israel, marking a significant shift in the country\u2019s foreign policy.<\/p>\n
Describing the Iran conflict as one of the most serious international crises in decades, Meloni warned that it reflected a broader collapse of the global legal and diplomatic order. During talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Rome, Italy reiterated its preference for diplomacy over further military escalation.<\/p>\n
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First Published:
\nMay 10, 2026, 18:15 IST<\/p>\n
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