U.S. President Donald Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni converse at the G7 Summit. [AFP=Yonhap News]

U.S. President Donald Trump continued his criticism of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, with whom he has been in a public dispute, on the 21st (local time). This time, he cited Italy's alleged failure to provide assistance during a potential conflict with Iran.

In a post on his social media platform Truth Social on the same day, President Trump wrote, "Italy and its Prime Minister would not even think about getting involved in the Islamic Republic of Iran and the very serious nuclear threat they pose."

President Trump added, "We have protected them for decades, but when push comes to shove, they (Italy) don't protect us and the rest of the world. Not good."

In context, it appears President Trump is claiming that Italy, a NATO ally, was uncooperative during a potential U.S. conflict with Iran.

This is also interpreted as lingering resentment over NATO member states, including Italy, not responding to a request for naval escorts to protect merchant ships during Iran's potential blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

Recently, President Trump claimed that Prime Minister Meloni begged him for a photo during the Group of Seven (G7) Summit (June 15-17 in France). Prime Minister Meloni refuted this, and the friction between the two leaders has escalated into a diplomatic dispute between the two countries.

In protest, Italy canceled the visit of its Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani to the United States.