Trump Backs Israeli Bombing Campaign, Says It’s ‘Very Hard’ to Call for Restraint
U.S. President Donald Trump has declared it would be “very hard” to ask Israel to halt its ongoing airstrikes on Iran, as tensions between the two nations continue to spiral.
Speaking to reporters upon arriving in New Jersey for a charity golf tournament, Trump said:
“If somebody is winning, it’s a little bit harder to do than if somebody is losing. But we’re ready, willing, and able, and we’ve been speaking to Iran—we’ll see what happens.”
His comments came as Israeli forces continued their bombing campaign in response to Iranian missile strikes that struck the northern Israeli city of Haifa, injuring at least 33 people. One of the victims remains in serious condition, according to reports from CNN.
Since hostilities erupted last week, 24 Israelis have died. On the other side, Israeli strikes have killed at least 639 people in Iran, including 263 civilians, according to Human Rights Activists, a Washington-based group.
Despite mounting international pressure for de-escalation, Trump suggested diplomacy may not be effective at this stage. “Europe is not going to be able to help on this one,” he said, dismissing efforts by Britain, France, and Germany to broker a peace deal in exchange for Iran scaling back its nuclear and missile programs.
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Iran, for its part, has remained firm. Officials have refused direct talks with the U.S. unless Israel ceases its aerial attacks. However, sources told CNN that Iranian officials might consider pausing their strikes if Israel does the same—a possible opening for negotiations.
Trump also doubled down on his claim that U.S. Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard is “wrong” in her assessment that Iran is not currently building a nuclear weapon.
“She’s wrong,” Trump asserted. “I think within a matter of weeks—or certainly months—they’re going to be able to have a nuclear weapon. We can’t let that happen.”
Gabbard had previously testified that Iran’s Supreme Leader suspended the nuclear weapons program in 2003 and had not resumed it since.
Clarifying an earlier remark, Trump said he would decide whether to authorize military action against Iran within a maximum of two weeks.
“Two weeks maximum,” he said. “We’ll know what to do by then.”
Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with European leaders in Geneva for what Tehran described as “respectful and serious” talks. The outcome remains uncertain, though Iranian media suggested diplomacy could gain ground if Israeli aggression subsides.
Elsewhere, pro-Iranian demonstrators took to the streets in Lebanon, with Hezbollah urging solidarity with Tehran and condemning Israeli actions.
The conflict’s trajectory remains unpredictable as both nations dig in—and as Washington signals limited patience and growing willingness to act.
