Trump Says He Knew of Israeli Strikes on Iran, Denies US Involvement
News Desk
Washington: US President Donald Trump has confirmed that he was informed in advance about Israel’s airstrikes on Tehran but maintained that the United States played no direct role in the operation.
In an interview with Fox News anchor Bret Baier, Trump stated, “Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb, and we are hoping to get back to the negotiating table. We will see. There are several people in leadership that will not be coming back.”
The comments came in the aftermath of a rare and large-scale Israeli aerial attack on Iran’s capital early Friday, which killed several senior Iranian officials. Among the casualties were Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces General Mohammad Bagheri, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Commander Hossein Salami, and two prominent nuclear scientists, Dr. Mohammad Mahdi Tehranchi and Dr. Fereydoon Abbasi.
Trump acknowledged multiple conversations with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the days leading up to the strike, confirming that Washington had been notified in advance. However, he emphasized that the operation was entirely Israeli-led and that the U.S. did not participate militarily.
Read More: https://thepenpk.com/riyadh-denounces-israeli-assault-on-tehran-urges-un-action/
Sources close to the Trump administration also disclosed that U.S. officials had alerted at least one key Middle Eastern ally about the impending operation, reiterating that the strike was initiated solely by Israel.
Iranian officials, however, remain unconvinced. In a statement issued by its Foreign Ministry, Tehran accused Washington of complicity, claiming that the scale and precision of the attack would not have been possible without US coordination. “The Zionist regime’s aggressive actions against Iran cannot have been carried out without the coordination and authorization of the United States,” the ministry stated, adding that Iran reserves the right to respond in accordance with international law.
Trump said the US military is closely monitoring the situation and confirmed that US Central Command (CENTCOM) has been placed on high alert in anticipation of a possible Iranian response. “The US is ready to defend itself and Israel,” he asserted, while reiterating his desire to bring Iran back to the negotiating table.
He also confirmed that the U.S. recently replenished Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system — a move now viewed as strategic preparation in light of escalating tensions. Defense sources have validated reports that several high-ranking Iranian figures were indeed killed in the Israeli offensive.
As the fallout continues, the region watches closely for Iran’s next move, with fears of broader conflict looming.
