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 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.
‘I want to have an agreement with Iran. We’re 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 got to 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.
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Since the strikes on Iran, the US has sought to distance itself from them.
Secretary of State Marko Rubio said that Israel had taken a ‘unilateral action’ and warned Iran not to retaliate against the US.
He said in a statement: ‘We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region.
‘Let me be clear: Iran should not target US interests or personnel.’
But in a speech following the attack, Benjamin Netanyahu praised Trump for America’s involvement in nuclear talks with Iran, dragging the US into the conflict.
He said: ‘Remember, Iran calls Israel the small Satan. It calls America the Great Satan.
‘This is why for decades, it’s led millions in the chant: “Death to Israel and death to America.
‘Today, Israel is responding to those genocidal calls with action and a call of our own: Long live Israel and long live America!
‘Our action will help make the world a much safer place’, he claimed.
He added: ‘I want to thank President Trump for his leadership in confronting Iran’s nuclear weapons programme.
‘He has made clear time and time again that Iran cannot have a nuclear enrichment programme.’
Reported by MailOnline
