Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni attends a debate at the Senate regarding the conflict in Iran and the Gulf region, in Rome, Wednesday, March 11, 2026. (Photo: AP)

ROME, April 14 (Xinhua) -- Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said Tuesday she was suspending the country's defense agreement with Israel, which involves the exchange of military equipment and technology research, media reports said.

"We have decided to suspend the automatic renewal of the defense agreement with Israel in consideration of the current situation," Meloni said while attending an event in Verona, Italian news agency Ansa reported.