United News of Bangladesh

US President Donald Trump on Saturday intensified a diplomatic dispute with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, reiterating his claim that she repeatedly sought a photograph with him during the recent Group of Seven (G7) summit and criticising Italy’s stance during the Iran war. In a post on his social media platform from the Camp David presidential retreat, Trump said Meloni had asked “over and over” for a picture with him at the G7 meeting in France. He also claimed that her popularity in Italy was declining and suggested it was linked to her refusal to support US efforts aimed at preventing Iran from acquiring or developing a nuclear weapon. The remarks followed comments Trump made in an interview with Italian broadcaster La7, where he alleged Meloni had “begged” for the photograph. Meloni dismissed the claim as “completely fabricated.” The dispute prompted Italy’s foreign minister to cancel a planned visit to the United States, while members of Meloni’s government publicly defended her. Trump also criticised Italy for not allowing the US military to use Italian landing strips and runways during the Iran conflict, reviving longstanding complaints about NATO allies’ defence cooperation. Italy had declined in March to allow US bombers bound for the Middle East to use a military base in Sicily without parliamentary approval. Trump further claimed that Meloni now “wants to be friends again” following the initial US-Iran agreement aimed at ending the war.