Former US President Donald Trump has suggested that Israel should target Iran’s nuclear facilities in light of the recent missile strikes by the Islamic Republic. This statement followed President Joe Biden’s remarks indicating that an “all-out war” in the Middle East is unlikely and should be avoided amidst rising tensions between Israel and Iran.
Trump’s comments were in response to a question directed at Biden regarding the potential for Israel to strike Iran’s nuclear sites after a 200-missile attack. He stated, “Isn’t that what you’re supposed to hit? I mean, it’s the biggest risk we have, nuclear weapons.” The Republican presidential candidate for the upcoming November 5 elections criticised Biden for not urging Israel to take action against Iran’s nuclear facilities, suggesting that the president should “worry about everything else later.”
“If they’re going to do it, they’re going to do it. But we’ll find out whatever their plans are,” Trump added.
His remarks came shortly after Biden expressed scepticism about the likelihood of a major conflict in the region, comparing confidence in avoiding war to predicting the weather. Biden emphasised, “I don’t believe there is going to be an all-out war. I think we can avoid it,” and assured that the U.S. has already provided support to Israel and remains committed to its protection.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, during his first Friday sermon in five years, characterised Iran’s recent attacks on Israel as “legal and legitimate,” calling them a necessary response to “Israel’s crimes.” He condemned Israel’s military actions as ineffective, stating, “Israel pretends to win through assassinations, destruction, bombing and killing of civilians. This behaviour increased the resistance’s motivation.” Khamenei’s sermon came just days before the one-year anniversary of Hamas’ assault on Israel.