Trump Comments on Iran and Israel

On Monday, President Donald Trump stated that “Israel has never approached me for war with Iran,” criticizing what he referred to as “fake news.”

He shared his deeply held belief that Iran must not obtain a nuclear weapon and mentioned that the terrorist attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023, prompted him to initiate Operation Epic Fury.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump asserted, “Israel never encouraged me to go to war with Iran. The events of October 7 reinforced my long-standing view that Iran could never secure a nuclear weapon. I find it almost unbelievable to see what the fake news pundits are saying.”

He elaborated, expressing his views on the media:

“Ninety percent of what they say is lies and fabrications, and the polls are rigged just like the 2020 presidential election. The outcomes in Venezuela, which the media tends to overlook, are comparable to what you might see in Iran. If the new leadership in Iran is smart, they will have a bright and prosperous future!”

Meanwhile, there are plans for Vice President J.D. Vance, along with special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, to head to Islamabad, Pakistan, for further discussions, as noted by sources. Reports indicate they haven’t left yet.

The trio previously met with the Iranian delegation for extensive talks, which spanned 21 hours. According to a U.S. official, the Iranian representatives didn’t fully grasp their lack of negotiating power, which contributed to the difficulties in discussions.

This misunderstanding led Vance to leave Pakistan after presenting a final offer, hoping that the Iranians would come to see the advantages of the deal for both sides. Following stalled negotiations, Trump had instituted a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

Last Friday, Trump announced that Iran had reopened the strait, suggesting they were “willing to agree.” However, by the next day, Iran had once again closed it. On Sunday, Trump warned that he would target Iranian power facilities and bridges if an agreement wasn’t reached in the upcoming talks.

“We are offering very fair and reasonable deals. I hope they accept because if we don’t reach an agreement, the U.S. will destroy every power plant and every bridge in Iran. No more being nice! They will fall quickly, and even if no deal is signed, I consider it my duty to take actions that previous presidents should have taken regarding Iran for the last 47 years. It’s time to end the Iranian killing machine!”

On Sunday evening, President Trump announced the seizure of the Iranian-flagged cargo ship Tuska as it attempted to breach the U.S. blockade.