Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, expressed her first positive remarks about President Trump in months in an op-ed for Israel Hayom, a right-leaning Israeli newspaper. She commended his choice to target three Iranian nuclear facilities but cautioned about potential Iranian retaliation.
“Americans concerned about the reasons behind these strikes should realize they were aimed at enhancing safety for Americans. This was about neutralizing a long-standing threat from Iran,” Haley wrote in a publication owned by Republican donor Miriam Adelson.
Israel Hayom, available in Hebrew and English online, is known for its conservative stance.
This opinion piece marks a significant re-emergence for Haley, who has largely stayed out of the public eye since the 2024 election cycle. In her previous comments on Trump’s foreign policy, she often criticized his decisions, including a controversial call with Russian President Vladimir Putin and accepting a private jet from Qatar.
However, in this article, she lauded Trump’s decision as “very well executed” and emphasized that the U.S. should adopt a hawkish stance on Iran, beneficial to both the U.S. and Israel.
“A secure Israel contributes to a secure America,” she stated, suggesting that diplomatic engagements with Tehran are unlikely to yield results.
“They may claim they want dialogue, but their actions tell a different story,” she noted. “Trump understood that some could take action, but also have the option to engage in the future.”
Haley also criticized the UN, following Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’s cautious response to the strike. She accused international bodies of failing to denounce Iran’s advancements in ballistic missile and nuclear capabilities.
She closed her piece by stressing the importance of vigilance for both America and Israel.
“Americans should be alert at military installations nearby and wary of potential cyberattacks from Iran. Iran remains a persistent threat,” she asserted.
During her tenure as Trump’s UN ambassador, Haley championed a strong stance against Iran, particularly in relation to the 2015 nuclear deal. Currently, as she navigates the speaker circuit, she tries to position herself as a staunch advocate for Israel while also appealing to Republican primary voters ahead of the 2024 election.
