Italian PM says his country open to a ‘more rigorous’ stance toward Iran

ROME (AP) — Italian Premier Giuseppe Conte says Wednesday his country is willing to consider a “more rigorous” stance toward Iran, adding that he recently asked US President Donald Trump to share intelligence about Iran’s alleged nuclear program that has triggered fresh US sanctions.

Conte tells reporters at a news conference in Rome that Italy would hope to coordinate any initiatives with European Union partners in the aftermath of re-imposed US sanctions against Iran.

Italy isn’t part of the 2015 deal under which the United States and other world powers eased economic sanctions in exchange for curbs on Iran’s nuclear program, but the Italian government did support the accord when it was signed.

Trump pulled out of the deal earlier this year, and this week the United States reimposed sanctions.

Referring to US intelligence on Iran’s nuclear situation, Conte says, “I asked President Trump to share elements of concern.” The two leaders met at the White house last week.

Pressed to be more specific, Conte replies that in his meeting with Trump: “I didn’t take a specific stand. I said we are willing to evaluate the necessity to take more rigorous stances if the (nuclear) accord is shown to be ineffective.”

“We are waiting to have elements” of intelligence, the premier says, adding that Italy would like to evaluate it with its EU partners.

— AP