Former US President Donald Trump has reignited tensions in the Middle East, urging Israel to launch a preemptive strike against Iranian nuclear facilities.
In a recent interview, Mr. Trump asserted that Israel should "hit" Iran's nuclear program, claiming that Tehran is close to developing nuclear weapons. The former president, who withdrew the United States from the Iran nuclear deal in 2018, argued that his actions had severely weakened Iran's capabilities. However, he maintained that Israel should take decisive action to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
Mr. Trump's incendiary remarks have drawn immediate criticism and concern from international observers. Critics argue that his statements risk escalating tensions in an already volatile region and undermine ongoing diplomatic efforts to revive the Iran nuclear deal.
The Biden administration, which has been working to restore the nuclear agreement, has yet to comment on Mr. Trump's statements. However, the White House has repeatedly emphasized its commitment to diplomacy and preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons.
Israel, which considers Iran an existential threat, has not publicly responded to Mr. Trump's calls for military action. However, the Israeli government has long maintained its right to take preemptive action to defend itself and has conducted numerous airstrikes against Iranian targets in Syria.
The international community is closely watching the situation as Mr. Trump's statements threaten to derail diplomatic efforts and increase the risk of a wider conflict in the Middle East.
