Trump Advocates for Israel to Consider Striking Iran’s Nuclear Facilities Amid Escalating Tensions
Washington, 5th October 2024: Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump stated on Friday that he believes Israel should consider attacking Iran’s nuclear facilities in light of the recent missile strikes by the Islamic Republic.
During a campaign event in North Carolina, Trump referenced a question posed to Democratic President Joe Biden earlier this week regarding whether Israel should target Iran’s nuclear program. “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 said at a town hall event in Fayetteville, close to a significant U.S. military base.
In response to a query on whether he would support strikes against Iranian nuclear sites, Biden had replied on Wednesday, “The answer is no.”
Trump countered, stating, “I think he’s got that one wrong. Isn’t that what you’re supposed to hit? I mean, it’s the biggest risk we have, nuclear weapons,” adding that Biden should have prioritized striking nuclear sites first. “When they asked him that question, the answer should have been, hit the nuclear first, and worry about the rest later,” he said.
Trump suggested that if Iran were to act, they would reveal their intentions eventually.
Biden reiterated his opposition to strikes against Iran’s nuclear facilities on Wednesday, following the launch of nearly 200 Iranian missiles aimed at Israel. He mentioned that discussions would take place with Israeli officials about their response, emphasizing that while G7 members agree that Israel has the right to defend itself, any response should be proportional.
As Trump competes in a highly contested presidential race against Democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harris, he has not focused heavily on the recent escalation in Middle Eastern tensions but did issue a strong statement this week, blaming Biden and Harris for the ongoing crisis.
