U.S. Attack on Iran: Even Europe’s Right Wing Has Begun to Distance Itself from Trump

Editorial

13:59 JST, April 21, 2026

Criticism against the U.S. attack on Iran is mounting across Europe, and even right-wing elements that had maintained good relations with U.S. President Donald Trump have begun to distance themselves.

It is clear that the military operation lacks international support. Unless the fighting is brought to a swift end, it is inevitable that the prestige of the United States and Trump will suffer further damage.

The trigger for the separation away from Trump among the European right was his repeated criticism of Pope Leo XIV, the supreme leader of the Catholic Church, after the pope called for a halt to the attack on Iran.

Trump unilaterally claimed that the pope was condoning Iran’s possession of nuclear materials and accused him of being “weak.”

Furthermore, Trump posted an image on his social media account depicting himself as a Christ-like figure. The president faced criticism not only from Europe but also from Christian conservatives in the United States — his own base of support — who called the image blasphemy.

In response, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said it was “normal [for the pope] … to condemn every form of war,” rejecting Trump’s criticism of the pope.

Meloni is a right-wing leader and was one of the few European leaders to maintain a good relationship with Trump.

However, the Vatican is situated within the Italian capital of Rome, and Italy’s population is overwhelmingly Catholic. It seems that Meloni could not overlook Trump’s remarks and behavior, which lacked respect for the pope.

In addition, leaders of the xenophobic far-right Alternative for Germany and the British right-wing Reform UK — parties that had previously championed cooperation with Trump — began criticizing the attack on Iran, calling the operation “ill-conceived.”

These parties have adopted principles similar to Trump’s “America First” as well as populist approaches, turning their backs on cooperation with the European Union and other international coordination.

However, in Hungary’s parliamentary elections held this month, Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s ruling party, which had received support from the Trump administration, suffered a crushing defeat. It appears that right-wing parties across Europe have become increasingly convinced that aligning too closely with Trump is actually a disadvantage.

Even within the United States, Trump’s approval ratings are at their lowest level of his second term. With prices for crude oil and other items remaining at high levels due to the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, there is a growing view that this will work against the ruling Republican Party in the November midterm elections.

The ceasefire involving Iran is set to expire soon. If the United States resumes its attack after failing to reach an agreement with Iran, a quagmire will be inevitable. Trump should aim for an early resolution.

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, April 21, 2026)