Giorgia Meloni is the Prime Minister of Italy since 2022. Known for her nationalist right-wing politics, Atlanticist alignment, and leadership of the Brothers of Italy party. Recently, Meloni has refused Italian base access for operations against Iran, drawing U.S. criticism, while engaging on Lebanon stabilization and suspending Italy's defense agreement with Israel. Last updated 7 hours ago
I have not lost hope for the possibility of negotiations with Iran. I believe that the military option in this case has not produced particularly concrete results.
Italy's PM Meloni is pursuing a sweeping reform of the electoral system ahead of the 2026 general election. Opposition parties are calling the push authoritarian.
Italy did not participate in the conflict with Iran.
In fact, if we had participated in the conflict with Iran, it would be difficult to explain the repeated disappointment expressed by the American President.
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Italian PM Meloni on Iran:
Italy did not participate in the conflict with Iran.
In fact, if we had participated in the conflict with Iran, it would be difficult to explain the repeated disappointment expressed by the American President.
We respected our commitments by making our bases available only for logistical and technical activities, not for combat operations.
And when requests were made that went beyond that framework, and you know this because it has been widely reported, we did not grant authorization for the use of our facilities.
Regarding Lebanon, France and Italy have a special responsibility because both contribute to UNIFIL.
Together with Prime Minister Meloni, we want to launch a coalition to prepare a post-UNIFIL mechanism, naturally...
French President Macron:
Regarding Lebanon, France and Italy have a special responsibility because both contribute to UNIFIL.
Together with Prime Minister Meloni, we want to launch a coalition to prepare a post-UNIFIL mechanism, naturally in cooperation with the European Union and the United Nations.
The objective is to strengthen Lebanon's sovereignty and prevent its territory from once again becoming the starting point of a new regional conflict.
I believe our cooperation on this issue is excellent, and I hope it will open a new perspective before the end of UNIFIL's mandate.
Italy and France will form a new coalition to support Lebanon after UNIFIL's mandate expires this year. Meloni and Macron made the announcement after meeting in Antibes.
We cannot allow the Ayatollah regime to acquire nuclear weapons or nuclear warheads, especially given that it already possesses - and has clearly demonstrated that it possesses -- long-range missiles.
And I'm not talking only about the United States, or countries closer to Iran's borders, or Israel.
"After spending Trillions of Dollars on NATO, Italy, and its Prime Minister (Giorgia Meloni), wouldn’t even think of becoming involved with the Islamic Republic of Iran and their very serious Nuclear Threat. For decades, we defend them but, when tested, they are not there to defend us, and the rest of the World. Not good! President DONALD J. TRUMP".
Donald Trump's statements are completely fabricated. I am frankly appalled. I don't know why the President of the United States behaves this way towards his al...
Italian PM Meloni to Trump:
So, certain things deserve an immediate response.
Donald Trump's statements are completely fabricated. I am frankly appalled. I don't know why the President of the United States behaves this way towards his allies; after all, it's not the first time it's happened.
I can only say it's a pity that he doesn't show the same determination with the enemies of the West, with the enemies of the United States, with leaders towards whom he instead proves to be much more accommodating.
But he must remember one thing: Italy and I never beg.
We expect Israel to act as a positive actor in the peace process, and we hope that internal debate - also driven by the election campaign - does not put at risk the difficult path that the United States has begun.
If you do not know how to defend yourself, if you ask someone else to guarantee your security, you will pay for it in terms of autonomy, sovereignty, and the ability to defend your national interests.
Defense spending is the price of freedom, and I want Italy to be a free nation.
Italian PM Meloni plans to lift the country's four-decade nuclear ban, with legislation expected this summer targeting small modular reactors to reduce reliance on energy imports. Nuclear power remains divisive in Italy after referendums in 1987 and 2011 rejected it following the Chernobyl and Fukushima disasters.
