'I told them': Donald Trump claims push for action against Iran; also says US didn't take part
US President Donald Trump is navigating a delicate balancing act as he claims foreknowledge of Israel's massive airstrikes on Iran while distancing the US from direct involvement.
Though initial statements from American officials described the Israeli operation as unilateral, Trump later said it came after a 60-day ultimatum he gave Iran to strike a nuclear deal. 'Today is day 61,' he wrote on Truth Social. 'I told [Iran] what to do, but they just couldn't get there.'
His shifting stance comes despite tensions with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. Trump is now presenting the strikes as part of a pressure campaign to bring Iran back to the negotiating table.
'They should now come to the table before it's too late,' he said.
'I think it's been excellent,' Trump told ABC News about the Israeli strikes. 'We gave Iran a chance, and they didn't take it. They got hit—hard. As hard as you can get hit. And there's more coming. A lot more.'
But the US response has been inconsistent. US secretary of state Marco Rubio distanced Washington from the strikes, the White House ordered a partial evacuation of personnel, and officials have been vague about America's military involvement.
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"We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region," Rubio said. He added, "Let me be clear: Iran should not target US interests or personnel."
This has raised questions over whether Israel moved ahead of Washington to force its hand.
According to the Guardian, some Israeli sources claimed Trump had given a "green light," but analysts warn Israel may be trying to draw the US into a wider conflict.
Intelligence agencies likely had advance warning, given the scale of the attack: over 200 Israeli jets striking more than 100 targets.
Meanwhile, the US recently resupplied Israel's Iron Dome system and deployed B-52 and B-2 bombers to Diego Garcia. The Fordow enrichment site in Iran remains intact—raising speculation that Washington may yet play a direct role if the conflict deepens.
Trump's response mirrors previous efforts to portray himself as a peacemaker—such as his claim that he prevented nuclear conflict between India and Pakistan recently.
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