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Trump Weighs Relocating Troops from Bases in Italy
(MENAFN) U.S. President Donald Trump signaled Saturday that a reduction of American military forces stationed in Italy remained on the table, while declining to address Tehran's anticipated response to a U.S. peace proposal, according to Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera.
Trump, speaking in a phone interview with the publication, stated he is "still considering" relocating troops from Italian bases, pointedly remarking that "Italy was not there when we needed it."
The comments follow a statement by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who — while on a visit to Rome on Friday — indicated that Iran was expected to deliver its reply to Washington's conflict-resolution proposal before the day's end.
Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto pushed back against Trump's troop relocation remarks, saying he "cannot understand" the rationale, and pointed to Italy's active role in a coalition preparing a Strait of Hormuz mission centered on mine clearance and the protection of maritime navigation.
An Italian news agency had previously reported on May 1 that Trump floated a potential drawdown of U.S. forces in both Spain and Italy, criticizing European allies for insufficient engagement in the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran.
According to U.S. Department of Defense data, approximately 12,700 active-duty American troops were permanently based in Italy as of late 2025, placing it second only to Germany in terms of U.S. military presence across Europe.
Trump, speaking in a phone interview with the publication, stated he is "still considering" relocating troops from Italian bases, pointedly remarking that "Italy was not there when we needed it."
The comments follow a statement by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who — while on a visit to Rome on Friday — indicated that Iran was expected to deliver its reply to Washington's conflict-resolution proposal before the day's end.
Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto pushed back against Trump's troop relocation remarks, saying he "cannot understand" the rationale, and pointed to Italy's active role in a coalition preparing a Strait of Hormuz mission centered on mine clearance and the protection of maritime navigation.
An Italian news agency had previously reported on May 1 that Trump floated a potential drawdown of U.S. forces in both Spain and Italy, criticizing European allies for insufficient engagement in the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran.
According to U.S. Department of Defense data, approximately 12,700 active-duty American troops were permanently based in Italy as of late 2025, placing it second only to Germany in terms of U.S. military presence across Europe.
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