ROME — U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged European allies Friday to maneuver past rhetoric and take concrete motion towards Iran, whilst he sought to restore strained ties with Italy and the Vatican throughout a two-day go to following tensions over the U.S.-Israeli war in Iran.
Talking after conferences with Premier Giorgia Meloni and International Minister Antonio Tajani, Rubio warned that Tehran was making an attempt to say management over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, calling the transfer “unacceptable” and a risk to international safety.
“Everyone says Iran is a risk. Everyone says that Iran can’t have a nuclear weapon … however you’ve acquired to do one thing about it,” Rubio informed reporters in Rome. “If the reply is not any … you then higher have one thing extra than simply strongly worded statements to again it up.”
Rubio stated Iran was attempting to normalize management over a world waterway, a precedent he warned might encourage comparable actions elsewhere. He additionally cautioned Tehran towards focusing on U.S. maritime belongings, saying the US had thwarted assaults on three Navy ships within the strait.
“The crimson line is obvious. They threaten Individuals, they’ll be blown up,” he stated.
Rubio stated Washington was pursuing a diplomatic observe, together with a proposed U.N. Safety Council decision aimed toward preserving freedom of navigation. He added the U.S. was awaiting Iran’s response on Friday to ongoing diplomatic efforts.
Rubio’s go to comes after weeks of sharp disagreements between Washington and Rome over the Iran conflict, tariffs and U.S. President Donald Trump’s criticism of each Meloni and Pope Leo XIV.
Meloni described her assembly with Rubio as “constructive, frank and productive,” centered on each bilateral relations and main worldwide points. She stated the talks coated strategic subjects, together with the Center East, freedom of navigation within the Strait of Hormuz, Ukraine, China and areas of Italian curiosity corresponding to Libya and Lebanon.
“We each perceive how essential the trans-Atlantic relationship is, however we additionally perceive that every nation should defend its personal nationwide pursuits,” Meloni pressured after the assembly.
Tajani struck a extra conciliatory tone after assembly his U.S. counterpart, reaffirming the significance of the trans-Atlantic alliance.
“I’m satisfied Europe wants America — Italy wants America — and the US additionally wants Europe and Italy,” Tajani stated, including he hoped “tensions have been calmed.”
He stated discussions coated the Iran battle and its spillover into Lebanon, in addition to Venezuela and Cuba. The U.S. State Division stated Rubio additionally raised the necessity to defend financial pursuits and finish the war in Ukraine.
Regardless of the trouble to ease tensions, variations stay over the Iran battle. Italy has opposed the U.S.-Israeli bombing marketing campaign, with Meloni calling it “unlawful,” and has resisted involvement in offensive operations.
Tajani stated Italy could be ready to contribute naval forces to demine the Strait of Hormuz as soon as a everlasting ceasefire is reached, and would keep its position within the U.N. peacekeeping mission in Lebanon. He additionally pressured the significance of continued U.S. troop presence in Europe amid issues about potential reductions.
Rubio stated “no closing choice” had been made on NATO troop changes, noting that any modifications would depend upon U.S. nationwide pursuits and international priorities.
The U.S. has introduced a decision to pull 5,000 military personnel from Germany and Trump has threatened to withdraw extra troops from Italy and Spain over their stance on the conflict.
Italy, a key logistics hub for U.S. and allied operations within the Mediterranean and past, has already signaled limits to its cooperation. In March, it declined to permit U.S. bombers certain for the Center East to make use of a base in Sicily with out parliamentary approval, reflecting constitutional constraints and robust home opposition to the conflict.
Meloni, weakened by a recent referendum defeat and going through public unease over the battle, has insisted that any use of Italian bases for offensive operations would require parliamentary backing.
The conflict has additionally raised financial issues in Italy, with Meloni warning that disruptions within the Strait of Hormuz threat driving up vitality prices and inflation, whereas U.S. tariff threats weigh on the nation’s export-driven economic system.
Rubio additionally sought to ease tensions with the Vatican following Trump’s criticism of the pope’s calls for peace. After a prolonged assembly on Thursday with the pontiff and Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Rubio stated Washington remained dedicated to a “productive and fruitful” relationship with the Catholic Church.
“The president’s perspective is obvious. He thinks that Iran is a risk, and it must be addressed. And that place stays unchanged,” Rubio stated.
Rubio confirmed that Cuba was additionally mentioned on the Vatican, with Washington hoping the church’s Caritas charity group would proceed distributing humanitarian support.
Rubio stated the U.S. has provided about $6 million in humanitarian aid to Cuba, to be distributed by Caritas, ought to the Cubans permit it. He added Washington has additionally supplied as much as $100 million in extra support, however the Cuban authorities has not accepted it to date. Rubio blamed Cuba’s authorities for blocking help and worsening circumstances, describing it as “incompetent.”
U.S. officers stated the Vatican talks underscored robust bilateral ties and a shared dedication to selling peace, whilst variations over the Iran conflict persist.
