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ROME — <\/span>U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio<\/a> urged European allies Friday to move beyond rhetoric and take concrete action against Iran, even as he sought to repair strained ties with Italy<\/a> and the Vatican during a two-day visit following tensions over the U.S.-Israeli war in Iran<\/a>.<\/p>\n Speaking after meetings with Premier Giorgia Meloni<\/a> and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, Rubio warned that Tehran was attempting to assert control over the strategic Strait of Hormuz<\/a>, calling the move \u201cunacceptable\u201d and a threat to global security.<\/p>\n \u201cEverybody says Iran is a threat. Everybody says that Iran can\u2019t have a nuclear weapon \u2026 but you\u2019ve got to do something about it,\u201d Rubio told reporters in Rome. \u201cIf the answer is no \u2026 then you better have something more than just strongly worded statements to back it up.\u201d<\/p>\n Rubio said Iran was trying to normalize control over an international waterway, a precedent he warned could encourage similar actions elsewhere. He also cautioned Tehran against targeting U.S. maritime assets, saying the United States had thwarted attacks on three Navy ships in the strait.<\/p>\n \u201cThe red line is clear. They threaten Americans, they are going to be blown up,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Rubio said Washington was pursuing a diplomatic track, including a proposed U.N. Security Council resolution aimed at preserving freedom of navigation. He added the U.S. was awaiting Iran\u2019s response on Friday to ongoing diplomatic efforts.<\/p>\n Rubio’s visit comes after weeks of sharp disagreements between Washington and Rome over the Iran war, tariffs and U.S. President Donald Trump\u2019s criticism of both Meloni and Pope Leo XIV<\/a>.<\/p>\n Meloni described her meeting with Rubio as \u201cconstructive, frank and productive,\u201d focused on both bilateral relations and major international issues. She said the talks covered strategic topics, including the Middle East, freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, Ukraine, China and areas of Italian interest such as Libya and Lebanon. <\/p>\n \u201cWe both understand how important the trans-Atlantic relationship is, but we also understand that each country must defend its own national interests,” Meloni stressed after the meeting. <\/p>\n Tajani struck a more conciliatory tone after meeting his U.S. counterpart, reaffirming the importance of the trans-Atlantic alliance.<\/p>\n \u201cI am convinced Europe needs America \u2014 Italy needs America \u2014 and the United States also needs Europe and Italy,\u201d Tajani said, adding he hoped \u201ctensions have been calmed.\u201d<\/p>\n He said discussions covered the Iran conflict and its spillover into Lebanon, as well as Venezuela<\/a> and Cuba. The U.S. State Department said Rubio also raised the need to protect economic interests and end the war in Ukraine<\/a>.<\/p>\n Despite the effort to ease tensions, differences remain over the Iran conflict. Italy has opposed the U.S.-Israeli bombing campaign, with Meloni calling it \u201cillegal,\u201d and has resisted involvement in offensive operations.<\/p>\n Tajani said Italy would be prepared to contribute naval forces to demine the Strait of Hormuz once a permanent ceasefire is reached, and would maintain its role in the U.N. peacekeeping mission in Lebanon. He also stressed the importance of continued U.S. troop presence in Europe amid concerns about possible reductions.<\/p>\n Rubio said \u201cno final decision\u201d had been made on NATO troop adjustments, noting that any changes would depend on U.S. national interests and global priorities.<\/p>\n The U.S. has announced a decision to pull 5,000 military personnel from Germany<\/a> and Trump has threatened to withdraw more troops from Italy and Spain over their stance on the war.<\/p>\n Italy, a key logistics hub for U.S. and allied operations in the Mediterranean and beyond, has already signaled limits to its cooperation. In March, it declined to allow U.S. bombers bound for the Middle East to use a base in Sicily without parliamentary approval, reflecting constitutional constraints and strong domestic opposition to the war.<\/p>\n Meloni, weakened by a recent referendum defeat<\/a> and facing public unease over the conflict, has insisted that any use of Italian bases for offensive operations would require parliamentary backing.<\/p>\n The war has also raised economic concerns in Italy, with Meloni warning that disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz risk driving up energy costs and inflation, while U.S. tariff threats weigh on the country\u2019s export-driven economy.<\/p>\n Rubio also sought to ease tensions with the Vatican following Trump\u2019s criticism of the pope’s calls for peace<\/a>. After a lengthy meeting on Thursday with the pontiff and Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin<\/a>, Rubio said Washington remained committed to a \u201cproductive and fruitful\u201d relationship with the Catholic Church. <\/p>\n \u201cThe president\u2019s perspective is clear. He thinks that Iran is a threat, and it needs to be addressed. And that position remains unchanged,\u201d Rubio said.<\/p>\n Rubio confirmed that Cuba<\/a> was also discussed at the Vatican, with Washington hoping the church’s Caritas charity organization would continue distributing humanitarian aid.<\/p>\n