Former U.S. President and current Republican candidate Donald Trump advised Israel to focus on targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities amid the ongoing escalation in tensions between the two nations. His comments followed Iran’s recent missile barrage, which has intensified concerns about potential conflict in the Middle East.
Trump’s Bold Strategy For Israel
During a public appearance, Trump criticized President Joe Biden’s stance on Iran, referring to a recent question Biden was asked regarding Israel’s response to Iranian aggression. Trump remarked, “They asked him, what do you think about Iran? Would you hit Iran? And he goes, ‘As long as they don’t hit the nuclear stuff.’ That’s the thing you want to hit, right?” He further emphasized the critical nature of nuclear capabilities, stating, “Isn’t that what you’re supposed to hit? I mean, it’s the biggest risk we have, nuclear weapons.”
According to Trump, Israel’s priority should be a direct strike on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. He argued that the nuclear threat posed by Iran is the most pressing concern, adding, “Biden should have asked Israel to attack Iran’s nuclear sites and worry about everything else later.” Trump’s stance reflects his belief that the eradication of Iran’s nuclear capabilities is a necessary step toward stabilizing the region.
He added, “If they’re going to do it, they’re going to do it. But we’ll find out whatever their plans are,” leaving ambiguity about Israel’s potential military response.
President Biden’s Call For Caution
Trump’s comments came shortly after President Joe Biden downplayed the likelihood of an “all-out war” in the Middle East. In response to escalating tensions between Israel, Lebanon, and Iran, Biden remarked, “How confident are you it’s not going to rain? Look, I don’t believe there is going to be an all-out war. I think we can avoid it.”
Biden also reassured that the U.S. has already provided significant support to Israel, stating, “We are going to protect Israel,” but refrained from committing to deploying American troops.
Iran’s Justification Of Its Actions
Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, during his first Friday sermon in five years, referred to Iran’s recent actions against Israel as “legal and legitimate.” He called the attacks “the minimum punishment for Israel’s crimes” and claimed that the ongoing resistance efforts were justified by Israel’s policies of “assassinations, destruction, and bombing.”
MUST READ: Explosion Reported From Southern Beirut As Israel Issues New Evacuation Orders
