Italian PM Voices Alarm Over Iran's Nuclear Ambitions

(MENAFN) Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni issued a stark warning late Tuesday, declaring that Iran must never be allowed to attain nuclear weapons. Speaking to reporters in Canada following the conclusion of the G7 summit, Meloni underscored the urgent need for a diplomatic path forward, even as regional tensions escalate.

Meloni pointed to Iran’s destabilizing role in the Middle East, stating that a nuclear-armed Iran would endanger both Western nations and Israel. While reaffirming her support for Israel’s recent military strikes, she emphasized their legitimacy as acts of national defense.

“Putin, leader of a country waging war against another country, cannot be entrusted with the role of mediator,” she said when asked about potential diplomatic involvement by Russia. She further accused the Russian president of lacking genuine commitment to peace, referencing intensified air raids on Ukrainian civilians. These actions, Meloni noted, were “openly provocative.”

Citing a recent report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Meloni stated the agency had verified Iran’s ongoing nuclear efforts. Nonetheless, she stressed the importance of seeking non-military solutions. There is still a viable and even preferable path to stop Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons through diplomacy, she affirmed.

Surge in Regional Violence
On June 13, Israel carried out extensive air raids targeting Iran’s nuclear infrastructure and key military leadership facilities in multiple cities. Iranian media on Wednesday reported that the attacks have left at least 585 dead and injured more than 1,300 civilians across Tehran and other heavily populated areas.

In a retaliatory strike, Iran’s armed forces launched ballistic missiles into Israeli territory, resulting in 24 fatalities and over 500 injuries, according to preliminary figures.

The international response has been swift, with several nations—including Türkiye—condemning Israel’s military action. Meanwhile, diplomatic channels remain fraught, as global leaders weigh efforts to prevent further escalation.

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