Trump Urges Israel to Target Iran’s Nuclear Sites Amid Rising Tensions
In a controversial statement, former U.S. President Donald Trump has called on Israel to consider targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities, suggesting it would be a “just” response to recent missile attacks launched by Tehran.
Trump made these remarks on Friday while addressing supporters at a town hall event in Fayetteville, North Carolina.
Trump Advocates Strikes on Iran’s Nuclear Sites
During his speech, Trump referenced a question posed to U.S. President Joe Biden earlier this week regarding potential Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear sites. Criticizing Biden’s response, 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?” Trump further stated that striking Iran’s nuclear sites should be a priority, calling it the “biggest risk we have, nuclear weapons.”
The former president’s comments have added fuel to the already tense situation, as U.S. officials are reportedly scrambling to prevent any potential escalation between Israel and Iran. Trump’s remarks come amid growing concerns that Israel might consider targeting Iran’s nuclear infrastructure following Tehran’s recent missile barrage into Israeli territory.
Biden Administration Urges Restraint
The Biden administration, however, has taken a markedly different stance. When asked if he would support any Israeli strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites, President Biden responded with a firm “no.” Biden’s refusal to endorse such actions has sparked criticism from Trump, who said, “I think he’s got that one wrong.”
Senior officials from the U.S. State Department, speaking to CNN, revealed that Israel has not provided any assurance that it would refrain from targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities. “It’s really hard to tell if Israel will use the anniversary of Hamas’ October 7 attacks as a pretext for retaliation,” a top official told CNN.
The Biden administration has been urging Israel to explore alternatives to military action, with President Biden suggesting that Israel should avoid striking Iran’s nuclear sites. “If I were in their shoes, I’d be thinking about other alternatives than striking oil fields,” Biden said at a press briefing on Friday.
Rising Tensions in the Region
The U.S. State Department has expressed concerns that Israel might use the one-year anniversary of Hamas’s October 7 attack as an opportunity to strike Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. The department believes such a move could significantly escalate tensions in the region. “I think in some ways they would want to avoid the seventh, so in my estimation, if there is anything it would likely be before or after,” the official explained.
As the situation unfolds, the Biden administration continues to urge Israel to show restraint, emphasizing that military action against Iran’s nuclear facilities could have far-reaching consequences for regional stability. With Trump advocating for a hardline approach, the political debate over how to handle Iran’s nuclear ambitions remains contentious.
