Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said he told U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday that Europe needs the United States, and vice versa, as America’s top diplomat wrapped up two days of fence-mending talks in Italy and the Vatican following weeks of tensions over the U.S.-Israeli war in Iran.
Tajani reaffirmed strong transatlantic ties and said he hoped “tensions have been calmed” with Rubio’s visit.
Meanwhile, the Iran war’s shaky ceasefire was further strained Friday as the United Arab Emirates responded to a missile and drone strike, hours after the U.S. said it thwarted attacks on three Navy ships in the Strait of Hormuz and retaliated against Iranian military facilities.
Rubio defended Trump after weeks of his criticisms of the pope
And Rubio said the U.S. believed it could still have a “productive and fruitful and important relationship” with the Catholic Church.
Rubio spoke to reporters in Rome, a day after his meeting with Pope Leo XIV during a fence-mending visit to Italy and the Vatican.
He was asked if he would recommend that Trump stop criticizing Leo’s position on the Iran war.
“The president will always speak clearly about how he feels about the U.S. and U.S. policy,” Rubio said. “The president of the United States is always going to act in what’s in the best interest of the United States.”
Rubio came to Rome after Trump repeatedly criticized Leo’s calls for peace and dialogue. The back and forth that ensued riled Italian leaders who came to Leo’s defense.
“The president’s perspective is clear. He thinks that Iran is a threat, and it needs to be addressed. And that position remains unchanged,” Rubio said.
Source: WPLG
