The war against Iran jeopardizes U.S. global leadership, warns an Italian minister.

The war against Iran has put the global leadership of the United States at risk, according to Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto, who expressed concern about the “madness” of nuclear escalation. Italy, like some other reluctant NATO allies, has refused to join President Donald Trump’s attacks on Iran. Last week, Italy denied permission for American military planes to land at the Sigonella airbase in Sicily en route to the Middle East.

“This war also jeopardizes the global leadership of the United States,” Mr. Crosetto told the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera in an interview published Tuesday. Mr. Crosetto, a close ally of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, expressed fears that the conflict could escalate further, citing the American nuclear bombings of Japan in 1945 during World War II.

“Think about it: it was human beings like us who decided that even Hiroshima and Nagasaki were acceptable means to end a conflict. Unfortunately, we still possess nuclear weapons and those who do not have them seek to acquire them. We have not learned anything,” he said.

“The risk is senseless and we are living in a conflict where every action triggers a reaction at a higher level.”

Mr. Crosetto, who is scheduled to address Parliament on the war against Iran later on Tuesday, said that Mr. Trump should have more courageous advisors.

“One of the problems of this presidency is that no one dares to contradict the boss,” he said.

While Mr. Trump is angered by Europe’s stance on the war, Mr. Crosetto stated that Italy had not given the United States permission to use its bases in circumstances other than those presented last week. Meloni, who has until now refrained from taking a firm position against the war, visited Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates over the weekend to show support for Gulf nations facing Iranian attacks and to protect Italy’s energy supplies as global fuel prices rise.