Trump: ‘Iran Would Blow Up Italy in Two Minutes’ if It Had the Chance
Published on Reflecto News | World News | Politics & Diplomacy
Former President Donald Trump has escalated his war of words with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, issuing a stark warning that Iran would “blow up Italy in two minutes” if it had the opportunity. The comments, reported by the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, represent a dramatic escalation in the rhetorical conflict between the two leaders following Meloni’s condemnation of Trump’s recent remarks about Pope Leo XIV .
“Iran would blow up Italy in two minutes if it had the chance. She doesn’t understand. She doesn’t get it. They are evil, and they will destroy us if we let them.” — Donald Trump
Trump’s comments reflect his frustration with Italy’s refusal to join the US-led coalition in the war against Iran and Meloni’s criticism of his attack on the pope .
The Context: A War of Words
The latest salvo comes amid an escalating personal feud between Trump and Meloni. The two leaders, who once shared a warm rapport based on their shared nationalist ideologies, have been trading insults after Meloni condemned Trump’s unprecedented attack on Pope Leo XIV .
Trump responded by calling Meloni “unacceptable” and accusing her of not caring “if Iran has a nuclear weapon.” Now, he has gone further, warning that Italy itself would be a target of Iranian aggression if Tehran had the capability .
Trump’s hyperbolic claim — that Iran could “blow up Italy in two minutes” — is not supported by any known Iranian military capability. Iran possesses ballistic missiles with a maximum range of approximately 2,000 kilometers, enough to reach Israel and parts of southeastern Europe, but not Italy, which is approximately 3,500 kilometers from Iranian launch sites .
Iran’s Actual Capabilities
Iran’s military capabilities are a matter of significant debate among intelligence agencies. While Tehran possesses a large arsenal of ballistic missiles and drones, its ability to strike targets in Western Europe is extremely limited.
| Capability | Details |
|---|---|
| Ballistic missile range | Maximum ~2,000 km (can reach Israel, Turkey, parts of Eastern Europe) |
| Italy distance from Iran | ~3,500 km (beyond current Iranian missile range) |
| Drone range | Limited (Shahed drones have range of ~2,500 km) |
| Nuclear weapons | Iran does not possess nuclear weapons |
| Conventional strike capability | Limited to Middle East region |
The claim that Iran could “blow up Italy” appears to be rhetorical hyperbole rather than an accurate assessment of Iranian military capabilities .
Meloni’s Iran Policy
Trump’s frustration stems from Meloni’s refusal to join the US-led coalition in the war against Iran. Italy has:
- Refused to participate in offensive military action against Iran
- Denied landing rights at Sigonella air base for US military aircraft
- Suspended its defense cooperation agreement with Israel
- Backed a “peaceful” European-led mission to reopen the Strait of Hormuz
- Consistently called for diplomatic solutions to the nuclear crisis
Meloni’s position reflects strong domestic opposition to the war in Italy, where a majority of the public opposes direct military involvement. Her coalition partners, including the far-right League and Forza Italia, also expressed reservations about joining the US campaign .
The Nuclear Question
Trump’s accusation that Meloni “doesn’t care if Iran has a nuclear weapon” is central to his critique of her Iran policy. The former president has consistently argued that Iran must be prevented from acquiring nuclear weapons, and that military force is necessary to achieve that goal .
Italy, by contrast, has supported diplomatic efforts to constrain Iran’s nuclear program, including the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). While that deal has collapsed, Italy continues to advocate for a negotiated solution rather than military confrontation .
The Pope Controversy
The immediate trigger for the Trump-Meloni feud was Trump’s attack on Pope Leo XIV. In a Truth Social post, Trump called the pope “WEAK on Crime” and “terrible for Foreign Policy,” criticized his stance on Iran and Venezuela, and claimed the pontiff was elected only because the Vatican needed an American to deal with him .
Meloni, whose country is overwhelmingly Catholic and where the pope is a deeply revered figure, responded forcefully, calling Trump’s words “unacceptable” and expressing her “deep admiration and respect” for the pontiff .
What Comes Next
As the Trump-Meloni feud continues to escalate, several scenarios are possible:
| Scenario | Likelihood | Implication |
|---|---|---|
| Further escalation | Possible | Trump may continue personal attacks |
| Meloni downplays feud | Likely | Seeks to preserve bilateral relationship |
| Italy-US relations cool | Possible | Longer-term strategic consequences |
| Resolution after US election | Uncertain | Depends on political outcomes |
For now, the Trump-Meloni feud has moved from policy disagreements to personal animosity, with the former president questioning the Italian prime minister’s courage, her commitment to countering nuclear proliferation, and now her understanding of the Iranian threat.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What did Trump say about Italy and Iran?
Trump claimed that Iran would “blow up Italy in two minutes if it had the chance,” accusing Meloni of not understanding the threat posed by Tehran .
2. Is it true that Iran could blow up Italy?
No. Iran’s ballistic missiles have a maximum range of approximately 2,000 kilometers, insufficient to reach Italy (approximately 3,500 kilometers from Iranian launch sites). Iran also does not possess nuclear weapons.
3. Why is Trump attacking Meloni?
Trump is frustrated by Italy’s refusal to join the US-led coalition in the war against Iran and by Meloni’s condemnation of his recent attack on Pope Leo XIV .
4. What has Italy’s position been on the Iran war?
Italy has refused to participate in offensive military action against Iran, denied landing rights at Sigonella air base for US military aircraft, suspended its defense cooperation agreement with Israel, and backed a European-led mission for the Strait of Hormuz .
5. Does Meloni support Iran having nuclear weapons?
No. Meloni has consistently supported diplomatic efforts to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, though she opposes the use of military force to achieve that goal.
6. How has Meloni responded to Trump’s attacks?
Meloni’s office has stated that “Italy will not be dragged into a war that the Italian people do not support” and that Italy remains committed to NATO but will make its own decisions about war and peace.
7. Will this affect Italy-US relations?
Institutional ties between Italy and the United States remain strong, but the personal feud could contribute to broader erosion of trust between the US and its European allies.
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