US President Donald Trump accused NATO allies, including Italy, of failing to stand with Washington over Iran in a sharply worded Truth Social post.
Trump said the United States had spent “trillions of dollars” defending the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation and allied security. He said allies would not support action against what he called Iran’s 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!” Trump wrote.
The remarks came during a dispute between Washington and Rome over reports that Italy refused to allow its military bases to support a possible US strike on Iran.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni defended Italy’s position as consistent with national sovereignty.
Trump also criticised Meloni personally after the recent G7 Summit. He claimed she had “begged” him for a photograph.
Read: Lake Lucerne Summit Sets 60-Day U.S.-Iran Roadmap
The US president said he agreed to the photo only because he “felt sorry for her.”
The comments added pressure to United States-Italy relations as Washington sought allied support over Iran.
