Trump urges Israel to target Iran’s nuclear facilities after missile barrage
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu applauds as he and then U.S. President Donald Trump deliver joint remarks on a Middle East peace plan proposal in the East Room of the White House in Washington, U.S., January 28, 2020. (Reuters Photo)
Former US President Donald Trump suggested Friday that Israel should target Iran’s nuclear facilities in response to the recent missile barrage from the Islamic Republic. Speaking at a campaign event in North Carolina, the Republican presidential hopeful criticized President Joe Biden’s approach to the ongoing conflict.
“They asked him, what do you think about Iran, would you hit Iran? And he goes, ‘As long as they don’t hit the nuclear stuff.’ That’s the thing you want to hit, right?” Trump told attendees at a town hall-style event in Fayetteville, near Fort Bragg, a major U.S. military base.
The remarks follow a question posed to President Biden earlier this week, in which he was asked if he would support Israeli strikes against Iranian nuclear sites. Biden responded, “The answer is no,” citing concerns about escalating the conflict further.
Trump, who is locked in a closely fought presidential election race against Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee, disagreed with Biden’s stance. “I think he’s got that one wrong,” Trump said in response to a participant’s question about Iran. “Isn’t that what you’re supposed to hit? I mean, it’s the biggest risk we have, nuclear weapons,” he added.
The former president reiterated his belief that nuclear sites should be the primary target if Israel were to take military action against Iran. “When they asked him that question, the answer should have been, hit the nuclear first, and worry about the rest later,” Trump stated. “If they’re going to do it, they’re going to do it. But we’ll find out whatever their plans are.”
Biden, during his Wednesday comments, acknowledged the escalating tensions following Iran’s missile attacks on Israel. He stressed the importance of proportional responses, stating, “We’ll be discussing with the Israelis what they’re going to do.” The president also emphasized that G7 nations, including the U.S., support Israel’s right to respond, but “they should respond in proportion.”
While Trump has not focused heavily on the recent Middle East tensions during his campaign, he issued a strong statement earlier this week, blaming Biden and Harris for the crisis.
