Raging at ‘fake news,’ Trump denies Israel ‘talked me into the war with Iran’ |
US President Donald Trump insisted Monday that Israel did not talk him into launching a war with Iran, responding to news reports that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had influenced his decision, as well as mounting criticism among the US right.
“Israel never talked me into the war with Iran,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“The results of Oct. 7th, added to my lifelong opinion that IRAN CAN NEVER HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON, did,” Trump added, venting his frustration at “FAKE NEWS Pundits” suggesting the contrary.
Trump was referring to the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led invasion of southern Israel, during which terrorists slaughtered 1,200 people, mostly civilians, kidnapping 251, and triggering a war in the Gaza Strip. Hamas receives military support from Iran.
Israel and the US launched their campaign against Iran on February 28 in a bid to destabilize the regime and destroy its nuclear and ballistic missile capacities. Iran responded with missile and drone strikes across the region, including through its proxies in Iraq and Lebanon. Israel launched a major campaign in Lebanon in response to the Hezbollah terror group’s rocket barrages.
The US and Iran agreed on a shaky, 10-day ceasefire that is set to expire on Wednesday unless talks mediated by Pakistan reach an agreement for a longer truce.
Trump also said in the post that “the results in Iran will be amazing,” which came as the United States prepared to resume negotiations in Pakistan, although Iran was undecided.
“And if Iran’s new leaders (Regime Change!) are........