US President George W. Bush is to meet with his long-time ally Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi to discuss Afghanistan and Iran, reported PressTV.
Bush was met with anti-war protests in Rome Thursday where he continued his European tour aimed in large part at securing additional support from allies to exert further pressure on Iran.
Pundits believe 'the veteran president' is expected press Italy to join the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany (G5+1) in their efforts to persuade the Islamic Republic to relinquish its uranium enrichment program by imposing tougher sanctions against the country.
The Islamic Republic is a strong trading partner with Italy.
Bush is scheduled to hold meetings with his Italian counterpart, President Giorgio Napolitano, and with Italian business leaders before sitting down with Berlusconi later in the day.
In his Wednesday meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Bush reiterated that a military option against Iran was still 'on the table'.
The West has been at loggerheads with Iran over the country's nuclear enrichment program.
Washington and its allies accuse Tehran of pursuing a nuclear military program. However, Iran has repeatedly asserted that its status as a signatory to the Non-Proliferation Treaty entitle the Islamic Republic to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes.