Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has been distancing herself from US President Donald Trump in recent times, following a shift in her country’s political and economic stance. According to a report by Arab News, Meloni’s change in strategy is attributed to the upcoming elections and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Meloni was the only European leader invited to Trump’s inauguration in 2017, and their close ties were seen as crucial to Western unity. However, with the US and Israel launching a war against Iran, the dynamics have changed.
During her visit to Gulf countries, Meloni openly stated that when there are differences, they should be explicitly expressed, and this time, they are not in agreement. Italy has also refused to allow US bombers to refuel at its military bases. A recent survey reveals that the Italian public opinion is rapidly changing, with a majority opposing the war against Iran and a significant decrease in positive views towards Trump.
Meloni’s government suffered a significant defeat in a recent referendum on judicial reforms, which was seen as a backlash against her policies and her close ties with Trump, particularly among young voters aged 18-34. According to analysts, Meloni is not abandoning her ties with Trump completely but rather gradually moving closer to European allies and distancing herself from the US to avoid political backlash.
Meloni is now attempting to maintain a delicate balance, neither severing ties with the US nor risking domestic politics. Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, and Oman have not made any recent attacks, according to Arab News. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi stated that Iran had prepared a strong response to the Israeli attacks on Lebanon but was restrained by Pakistan.
The US Central Command has issued a statement regarding Operation Apache Fury against Iran. Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced that Israel would expand its borders after the war, and he laid the foundation stone for new settlements in the West Bank. Lebanese President Michel Aoun stated that direct negotiations with Israel have begun, and the Russian company will withdraw its personnel from the Bushehr nuclear power plant in Iran.
The company stated that it will not withdraw its personnel despite the ceasefire agreement. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the talks with Lebanon would focus on disarming Hezbollah and establishing peaceful relations between Israel and Lebanon.
