The US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has questioned why allies are not backing Washington’s efforts after meeting Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

“I don’t ‌understand why anybody would not be supportive,” Rubio told Reuters, adding that countries needed “something more than just strongly worded statements” if they opposed Iran’s actions.

Rubio has been in Italy for two days in a trip aimed at easing ties with Pope Leo after attacks on the pontiff by President Donald Trump.

While there he has also addressing Washington’s frustration over Italy’s refusal to support the US-Israeli war on Iran.

Meloni had been one of Trump’s firmest ​allies in Europe, but the friendship has come under increasing strain in recent months, as the Italian public expresses its animosity to the war and the growing economic cost of the conflict.

ABC News asked Rubio on whether, 10 weeks into the conflict, the administration is any closer to getting rid of Iran’s nuclear material, given that President Donald Trump’s primary objective in the war has been to prevent Iran from having a nuclear weapon.

In response, Rubio Rubio stressed that the U.S. is done with Operation Epic Fury.

“Well, that’s one of the topics that needs to be discussed. I don’t know about — I think you’re linking it. The operation is over. Epic Fury is — the president notified Congress, we’re done with that stage of it, OK. We’re now on to this project of freedom,” he said.

The secretary adopted a notably different tone from Trump, who has been quick to threaten additional military action against Iran.

Asked about the possibility that fighting resumes, as Trump has threatened it could, and whether that would require congressional approval, Rubio stressed: “Operation Epic Fury is concluded.”

Speaking about Iran coming back to the negotiating table, he said Trump’s top negotiators, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, are “working on that very hard.”

“But Iran must accept the reality of the situation and come to the negotiation table and accept terms that are good for them, but ultimately good for the world,” Rubio said.

Pope Leo XIV in conversation with Rubio at the Apostolic Palace, Vatican. Photo: AAP

Earlier in the week, Rubio held talks with Pope Leo atmosphere of tension with Washington as Trump has repeatedly disparaged the pontiff on social media.

A day ‌after the Vatican meeting, Pope Leo asked that God would inspire world leaders to ‌calm global tensions and reduce hatred in an address to mark his first anniversary as head of the Catholic Church.

In his message to thousands ​in ​Pompei’s main square on Friday, the pontiff lamented ​that world peace is “endangered by international tensions and by an economy ‌that prefers the arms trade to respect for human life”.

-with AAP