The diplomatic tensions between Italy and Iran escalated when Iranian parliamentarian Mojtaba Zarei publicly tore a photograph of Italy's President Sergio Mattarella alongside images of other European leaders. This act was interpreted as a hostile gesture against Italy, drawing condemnation from various Italian political figures. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani described the incident as an "embarrassing and hostile act" and announced plans for a meeting with the Iranian ambassador to seek clarification on this incident.

The act by Zarei appears to be a retaliatory response to an earlier incident involving Isabella Tovaglieri, a member of the European Parliament from Italy's League party, who had torn a photo of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. In defending his action, Zarei resorted to offensive personal insults against Tovaglieri, highlighting the deteriorating relationship between the two nations. Political reaction in Italy has been unified, with leaders from both the majority and opposition parties condemning the incident as disgraceful, signaling a strong national consensus against Iranian provocations.

Prominent Italian politicians voiced their support for President Mattarella, labeling the insult as "execrable and despicable". Italian lawmakers from different political backgrounds join in condemning this act, with House President Lorenzo Fontana defining it as an "unacceptable attack by the regime on Western democracies and their leaders". The incident underscores the fragile diplomatic balance and the potential for escalating tensions between Italy and Iran, particularly surrounding issues of respect and recognition for national leaders.