Iran war jeopardizes U.S. global leadership, warns Italian minister

Italy’s Defence Minister Guido Crosetto has warned that the war in Iran threatens U.S. global leadership. He expressed concern about the potential for “madness” involving nuclear escalation. Similar to other NATO allies hesitant to support U.S. President Donald Trump’s actions against Iran, Italy recently denied U.S. military planes permission to land at the Sigonella air base in Sicily on their way to the Middle East. In an interview with the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera published on Tuesday, Crosetto stated, “This war is also putting the United States at risk in its global leadership.” He is a close supporter of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who maintains a good relationship with Trump. Crosetto fears the conflict could worsen, recalling the U.S. atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War Two in 1945. “Just think: it was people just like us who decided that the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were acceptable to end a war. Sadly, we still have nuclear weapons, and those without them are trying to get them. We have learned nothing,” he remarked. He added, “The risk is madness, and we are in a situation where every action leads to a stronger reaction.” Crosetto plans to speak to parliament about the Iran war later on Tuesday and believes Trump needs bolder advisors. “One of the issues of this presidency is that no one dares to challenge the boss,” he stated. With Trump displeased about Europe’s position on the war, Crosetto noted that Italy has restricted U.S. access to its bases beyond the recent situation.