US will assist to defend Israel, Trump confirms to Fox News after warning Netanyahu towards bombing Iran | EUROtoday

President Donald Trump has stated that the United States will assist to defend Israel “if needed” after its wave of airstrikes towards Iran on Thursday night time provoked a retaliatory drone assault by Tehran.

The president made the remark in a personal cellphone name with Fox News journalist Bret Baier, who relayed the message on air, including that Trump had been conscious of Israel’s pre-dawn raid earlier than it commenced however that the U.S. had performed no half in it.

Baier revealed that Trump had had a number of cellphone calls with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu this week and noticed the last word purpose of the airstrikes as driving Iran again to the negotiating desk as talks proceed about de-escalating its rogue nuclear program.

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“Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb, and we are hoping to get back to the negotiating table. We will see,” Trump advised Fox.

“There are several people in leadership that will not be coming back.”

In certainly one of his calls with Netanyahu on Monday, the president had suggested his Israeli counterpart towards the assaults, in response to The Wall Street Journaltelling him that the negotiations ought to be allowed to run their course earlier than army choices have been thought of.

The president’s recommendation went unheeded as Israel launched into a collection of lethal strikes on greater than 100 targets final night time, killing General Hossein Salami, the chief of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, and Major General Mohammad Bagheri, chief of workers to its armed forces, amongst others.

Iran has since retaliated by launching greater than 200 drones at Israel.

Like Trump, U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, moved shortly to disclaim American involvement in Israel’s assault.

“Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran,” he stated. “We are not involved in strikes against Iran, and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region.

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“Let me be clear: Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel.

“President Trump and the administration have taken all necessary steps to protect our forces and remain in close contact with our regional partners.”

Iranian state TV, nonetheless, was fast to sign its suspicion of Washington, rejecting Trump and Rubio’s denials and accusing the administration of being “complicit” in an assault that has “killed children.”

Steve Witkoff, his Middle East envoy, was as a result of meet Iranian officers in Oman on Sunday for the most recent spherical of talks on the potential de-escalation of Tehran’s nuclear actions. It is unclear whether or not these talks will nonetheless proceed in gentle of final night time’s occasions.

Israel’s strikes – dubbed Operation Rising Lion – have been vital as a result of Iran’s continued motion to “weaponize” enriched uranium, Netanyahu stated in a press release, arguing the assault was important to “Israel’s very survival.”

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The nation has since declared a state of emergency and stated the strikes towards Iran would “continue for as many days as it takes.”

Earlier within the day, shortly earlier than the bombing marketing campaign started, Trump had abruptly left a White House picnic for members of Congress with out suggesting something was flawed.

“As long as I think there will be an agreement, I don’t want them going in,” he had stated of the tensions between Israel and Iran on the occasion, including that he would “love to avoid a conflict.”

Pressed on whether or not or not an eruption was “imminent”, the president had conceded: “It looks like something could well happen.”

On the potential of finally resolving the American-led talks with Iran efficiently, Trump once more expressed frustration at their gradual progress and stated the Iranians “are going to have to give us some things that they’re not willing to give us right now.”

The president will attend a National Security Council assembly at 11 am ET on Friday morning to debate the most recent tensions within the Middle East.