"If Iran had nuclear weapon, there'd be no Israel," says Trump amid escalating tensions
Washington DC, June 11
As tensions escalated between Iran and the US, President Donald Trump on Wednesday issued a strong warning over Tehran's nuclear ambitions, claiming that a nuclear-armed Iran would lead to the destruction of Israel and destabilise the Middle East.
He also asserted that the United States had "hit them hard" and could strike again as negotiations remain uncertain.
Speaking in the Oval Office, Trump said, "If they (Iran) had a nuclear weapon, there'd be no Israel, there'd be no Middle East, and they would have absolutely shot at us. We'll see what happens. But we hit them hard yesterday. We're going to hit them again hard today. We'll see what happens with the deal."
"We were really close to a deal, but they keep tapping us along. They keep playing us for suckers because you know what? They dealt with some very stupid presidents... I'm embarrassed to say it. Some very stupid people were sitting here," he further said.
He also said that the United States would resume attacks on Iran.
Trump said, "We're going to be attacking them, attacking them very hard."
He also suggested that Iran's downing of a US Apache helicopter provided grounds for renewed military action.
"Based on the helicopter, I guess we have the right to do that," he told reporters.
Trump said the US had already launched strikes and would continue military operations against Iran. "We hit them hard yesterday. We're going to hit them again hard today, in case you miss it, in case you don't turn on your television set, and we'll see what happens with the deal," he said.
The recent phase of escalation came after the US carried out airstrikes on Iran's military targets located along the Strait of Hormuz, retaliating against the downing of an American Apache helicopter. Iran said it responded with strikes on a US base in Jordan and other Gulf targets.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Trump's rhetoric is alarming. As an Indian, I remember how the US and its allies created chaos in Iraq and Libya. We don't need another war-torn region. Iran should be allowed to develop peaceful nuclear energy, just like India does under IAEA safeguards. But weapons? That's a red line for everyone.
I'm an Indian American and this scares me. The US keeps meddling in Middle Eastern affairs, and it's always the civilians who suffer. India depends on oil from the Gulf. If the Strait of Hormuz gets blocked, our economy will take a huge hit. 😟
Trump calling previous US presidents 'stupid' is rich coming from someone who pulls out of nuclear deals and then ramps up tensions. India has always maintained that dialogue is the only way forward. We've seen what happens when powerful nations bully smaller ones. Not good for global stability.
As an Indian concerned about our diaspora in the Gulf, this escalation is terrifying. Over 8 million Indians live and work in the Middle East. If war breaks out, they'll be caught in the crossfire. The US needs to think about the human cost, not just 'hitting them hard'. 🙏
I think we need to understand Iran's perspective. They're surrounded by nuclear-armed countries (Israel, Pakistan, etc.) and feel threatened. But that doesn't justify them developing nukes either. India should use its good relations with both Iran and the US to mediate peace talks. Yaar, kuch toh karo! (Do something!)
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.