ROME, April 7 – America’s standing as a world leader faces serious challenges due to the Iran conflict, according to Italy’s Defense Minister Guido Crosetto, who voiced alarm about the potential for nuclear escalation he described as “madness.”
Italy joined several NATO partners last week in showing resistance to President Donald Trump’s Iran military operations by refusing to allow American military planes to use the Sigonella air base in Sicily for flights heading to the Middle East.
“This war is also putting the United States at risk in its global leadership,” Crosetto stated during an interview with Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera that was published Tuesday.
The defense minister, who maintains close ties with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and has established a positive working relationship with Trump, expressed deep concerns that the situation could deteriorate further. He referenced the 1945 atomic bombings that ended World War Two as a historical warning.
“Just think: it was human beings like us who decided that even Hiroshima and Nagasaki were acceptable means of ending a conflict. Unfortunately, we still possess nuclear weapons, and those who do not have them are seeking to acquire them. We have learnt nothing,” Crosetto said.
“The risk is madness, and what we are experiencing is a conflict in which every action triggers a reaction at a higher level,” he added.
Speaking ahead of his scheduled parliamentary address about the Iran war on Tuesday, Crosetto suggested that Trump needs advisers willing to challenge his decisions.
“One of the problems of this presidency is that no one dares contradict the boss,” he remarked.
As tensions grow between Trump and European nations over their war positions, Crosetto confirmed that Italy has maintained its restrictions on U.S. base usage beyond the recent incident.
Prime Minister Meloni, who has avoided taking a strong public stance against the conflict, traveled to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates over the weekend. The diplomatic mission aimed to demonstrate Italy’s support for Gulf states facing Iranian threats while also securing the country’s energy interests amid global fuel price increases.
