Trump Backs Israeli Strikes, Urges Iran to Negotiate

Following Israeli attacks on Iranian nuclear sites and targeted strikes against Iranian military figures and scientists, former President Donald Trump expressed strong support for Israel. He warned Iranian officials to return to negotiations with him, suggesting further Israeli actions would be devastating if they did not.

In a social media post, Trump claimed he had repeatedly offered Iran opportunities to reach an agreement that would have prevented the strikes by imposing restrictions on their nuclear program. He criticized Iranian negotiators for their inability to finalize a deal. He also stated that Israel possessed significant American-made military hardware and was highly skilled in its use.

Trump further stated that there was still time for Iran to end the "slaughter" by Israeli forces before more severe attacks occurred. He urged Iran to make a deal to preserve what remained of the Iranian Empire, emphasizing the need to avoid further destruction.

In another post, Trump mentioned giving Iran a 60-day ultimatum to reach a deal, claiming the Israeli strikes happened on the 61st day. He suggested Iran had a second chance to negotiate. In a brief interview, he clarified that the U.S. was aware of the situation, stating he had informed the Iranian side of the deadline.

Separately, Trump told a news outlet that the Israeli attacks were "very successful" and that the Israeli government had the full support of the United States. This contrasted with the initial reaction from another top American official, who stated the strikes were "unilateral" and that the U.S. was not involved.

The Israeli attacks, which included drone strikes and air force operations, followed weeks of negotiations between American and Iranian officials. These talks are unlikely to resume, as Trump claimed the Iranian officials most relevant to the talks were killed in the attacks.

The Israeli strikes are part of a long-standing opposition to Iran's nuclear weapons program, which Israel views as an existential threat. The Israeli Prime Minister described the operation as a targeted military action to counter the Iranian threat, targeting nuclear and military infrastructure. The Defense Minister called it a preemptive strike, citing an expected Iranian attack.

Israel has long threatened military action against Iran's nuclear facilities. Iranian officials deny seeking a nuclear weapon, a claim supported by U.S. intelligence. Iran had refused to give up its ability to enrich uranium, which it says it needs for its nuclear power program. A 2015 agreement had imposed limits on Iran's nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief. Trump withdrew from that deal, leading to Iran reviving and improving its nuclear facilities.