Israel snubbed US president Donald Trump’s plea not to strike Iran just hours after he said that an attack would ‘blow’ nuclear deal talks.
Overnight, Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, a series of ‘pre-emptive’ strikes across Iran targeting nuclear and military facilities.
Israel claims to have killed Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Commander Hossein Salami, along with other top military figures and several nuclear scientists,.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has warned Israel should expect ‘severe punishment’ in response, and has reportedly launched a swarm of 100 drones in retaliation.
Just a few hours before Israel’s massive strike on Iran’s nuclear and military facilities, Trump starkly warned Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu not to interfere with the nation.
When asked at the White House about the possibility of a strike on Iran, Trump said: ‘I don’t want to say imminent, but it looks like something that could very well happen.
‘It’s very simple – not complicated. Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. Other than that, I want them to be successful. We’ll help them be successful. We’ll trade with them, we’ll do whatever’s necessary.
Just a few hours before Israel’s massive strike on Iran’s nuclear and military facilities, Donald Trump (pictured, left) starkly warned Benjamin Netanyahu not to interfere with the nation
‘I want to have an agreement with Iran. We’re fairly close. As long as there is an agreement, I don’t want [Israel] going in because I think that would blow it.
‘There’s a chance of massive conflict. We have a lot of American people in this area, and I said “we’ve gotta tell them to get out because something could happen soon, and I don’t want to be the one who didn’t give them any warning.”
‘We’ve had very good discussions with Iran. Whether or not we get there, I can’t tell you – but it’ll happen soon.
