Rubio Set To Meet Italy’s Meloni

ROME (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to meet Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni to ease tensions over the war with Iran. President Donald Trump’s tariffs and his criticism of Europe’s stance on the conflict have strained relations. Rubio’s trip began Thursday with a meeting with Pope Leo XIV. Meloni and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani aim to maintain Italy’s strategic partnership with the U.S. while resisting pressure over the Iran conflict. Italy opposes the war and has declined to allow U.S. bombers to land without parliamentary approval.