Iran uses satire after rift between Donald Trump and Giorgia Meloni over remarks on Pope Leo XIV
April 15, 2026: A diplomatic rift between Donald Trump and Giorgia Meloni has drawn an unusual response from Iran, which used satire to comment on the fallout. Triggered by disagreements over remarks related to Pope Leo XIV, the spat has opened space for Iran to take jabs at Washington through its diplomatic channels.
Iran’s embassy in Ghana joined the online commentary with a tongue-in-cheek post suggesting that Italy now had a “vacancy” for an ally after tensions with the US. Highlighting cultural ties and even joking about a long-running “ice cream rivalry,” the post mixed humour with geopolitical messaging, reflecting a broader trend of Iran using social media to respond to global developments during the ongoing West Asia conflict.
The exchange comes as Iran intensifies its messaging campaign amid the war, with its embassies sharing satirical content targeting the US leadership. Meanwhile, tensions between Trump and Meloni have escalated after the Italian leader criticised the US President’s remarks, marking a rare public disagreement between allies and adding another layer to the evolving geopolitical narrative.