United States President, Donald Trump, has confirmed that he was informed ahead of Israel’s dramatic airstrikes on Iran, even as he unequivocally stated that Tehran “cannot have a nuclear bomb.”
His comments followed a series of Israeli military actions that rocked the region and pushed tensions to new highs.
Speaking to Fox News, Trump revealed that his administration was briefed on the planned operation prior to its execution but maintained that the US was not directly involved. “Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb, and we are hoping to get back to the negotiating table. We will see,” Trump said, while reiterating that the United States was prepared to defend itself and its allies if Iran retaliates.
The strikes, carried out early Friday, targeted over 100 locations across Iran, including nuclear and military installations. Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that among the primary targets was the atomic facility in Natanz.
Iranian state media, meanwhile, reported the deaths of two senior military figures, Revolutionary Guards Commander Hossein Salami and Armed Forces Chief of Staff Mohammad Bagheri.
Fox News, citing senior U. officials, reported that the Trump administration had alerted at least one major Middle Eastern ally prior to the attack. Despite this, Secretary of State Marco Rubio stressed that “the United States was not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region.”
“Let me be clear: Iran should not target US interests or personnel,” Rubio added in a statement released Thursday.
Trump was scheduled to attend a high-level National Security Council meeting on Friday morning to assess the rapidly evolving situation.
The fallout from the Israeli operation has been swift and far-reaching. Gulf-based airlines announced the suspension of flights to and from Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria due to escalating regional risk. Israel has also declared a state of emergency and sealed its airspace, with Defense Minister Israel Katz confirming that the country was “braced for Iran’s expected retaliation.”
Neighbouring Jordan reported that its military had intercepted “a number of missiles and drones that entered Jordanian airspace,” signalling the potential for broader regional involvement.
In a strongly worded response, Iran’s armed forces accused Israel of crossing “all red lines” and vowed there would be “no limits in responding to this crime.”
Global markets reacted sharply to the developments. Oil prices surged while global stock indices took a hit, reflecting investor anxiety over what President Trump previously described as the threat of a “massive conflict” engulfing the Middle East.
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