Trump suggests Israel should hit Iran's nuclear sites first

Former US President Donald Trump has called for Israel to directly target Iran's nuclear facilities in response to the Islamic Republic’s recent missile attack. His bold statement came as tensions in the Middle East continue to escalate following Iran’s barrage of 200 missiles. Trump’s remarks contrast sharply with the more measured approach taken by President Joe Biden, who recently expressed confidence that an "all-out war" in the region could be avoided.

Trump, speaking during a campaign event, responded to a question about how President Biden should handle the growing conflict between Israel and Iran. He criticized Biden’s reluctance to endorse a direct strike on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, suggesting that such a move would neutralize the most significant threat in the region. "That’s the thing you want to hit, right? Isn’t that what you’re supposed to hit? I mean, it’s the biggest risk we have, nuclear weapons," Trump said, referring to the possibility of an Israeli strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities.

The former president, who is once again a candidate for the Republican nomination in the upcoming US elections, implied that Biden's approach lacked the necessary aggressiveness to deter Iran’s nuclear ambitions. "Biden should have asked Israel to attack Iran's nuclear sites and worry about everything else later," Trump stated. His comments underscored his longstanding belief that Israel should take decisive military action to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons capabilities, a view he frequently promoted during his presidency.

Trump’s remarks came just one day after President Biden dismissed the likelihood of a large-scale war in the Middle East. When asked about the possibility of the conflict spiraling into a full-scale regional war, Biden responded, "I don’t believe there is going to be an all-out war. I think we can avoid it." The president’s statement reflected his administration’s efforts to balance support for Israel with caution to avoid further destabilizing the region.

Meanwhile, Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, delivered a rare Friday sermon, his first in five years, where he justified Iran’s missile attack on Israel as "legal and legitimate." Khamenei framed the strike as retaliation for what he called "Israel's crimes" against Palestinians and civilians. "Every strike launched by any group against Israel is a service to the region and all humanity," Khamenei declared, further intensifying the already volatile rhetoric between Iran and Israel.

The timing of Khamenei’s sermon was notable, falling just days before the first anniversary of the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel. His words reinforced Iran’s support for militant actions against Israel, fueling concerns about the potential for further escalations.

Trump, who has consistently advocated for a tougher stance on Iran, appears to be positioning his foreign policy views as a major differentiator in the run-up to the November 2024 elections. While Biden’s administration prioritizes diplomacy and controlled responses, Trump continues to push for swift, military-focused solutions to the challenges posed by Iran and its nuclear program.