Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi met with visiting U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates Saturday on Iran, Afghanistan and other important issues. Berlusconi briefed Gates on the outcome of his recent trip to Middle East and reiterated Italy's tough stance on Iran, according to a statement issued by the Italian government. Italy believes that pressure on Iran should be increased, in order to force it to change stance and demonstrate its willingness for regaining confidence from the international community, it said. Gates praised Italy's role in international peacekeeping operations and briefed the Italian prime minister on latest developments in Afghanistan, said the statement. The Pentagon chief also voiced his appreciation for Rome's support for Washington in the Afghan war and its timely response to the international aid efforts in Haiti, it said. The two sides also discussed bilateral defense cooperation. Italy responded quickly to U.S. President Barack Obama's decision to increase troop levels in Afghanistan and pledged in December to send 1,000 additional troops to the strife-torn country in 2010. Gates arrived here earlier Saturday after attending a NATO conference in Istanbul, Turkey. The Pentagon chief is scheduled to meet Italian defense and foreign ministers in Rome during his three-day visit to Italy before leaving for Paris on Monday. 