ROME, May 9 — U.S. President Donald Trump told Italian media that he is “still considering” relocating troops from bases in Italy, adding that “Italy was not there when we needed it,” local newspaper Corriere della Sera reported on Saturday.
The paper said Trump made the remarks in a phone interview, during which he refused to comment on Iran’s response to a U.S. peace proposal, which had been expected on Friday, the report said.
On Friday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who was visiting Rome, said Iran was expected to respond later in the day to Washington’s proposal on resolving their ongoing conflict.
In response to Trump’s remarks about troop relocation, Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said he “cannot understand” the reasoning behind that.
He noted that Italy is working with countries in a coalition to prepare a mission in the Strait of Hormuz focused on mine clearance and the protection of maritime navigation.
Italy’s ANSA news agency reported on May 1 that Trump said he may reduce U.S. military presence in Spain and Italy, slamming European allies for not helping in the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran.
Data from the U.S. Department of Defense shows that as of the end of 2025, around 12,700 active-duty U.S. troops are permanently stationed in Italy, making it the second-largest U.S. military presence in Europe after Germany. (Namibia Daily News / Xinhua)
