Washington, June 14: U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed on Friday that the United States had advance knowledge of Israel’s large-scale airstrikes on Iranian targets, praising the operation as “excellent” and urging Iran to return to nuclear negotiations despite the mounting regional crisis.
In a phone interview with Reuters, Trump said his administration was fully aware of Israel’s intentions ahead of what Israeli officials have described as one of the most extensive military offensives in the country’s history, targeting Iranian nuclear facilities and military infrastructure.
“We knew everything,” Trump said. “I tried to save Iran humiliation and death. I tried to save them very hard because I would have loved to have seen a deal worked out.”
Trump said he had repeatedly advised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to delay the strikes in favor of a diplomatic resolution but backed the final decision. “We’ve been very close to Israel. We’re their number one ally by far,” he said, reaffirming Washington’s unwavering support for its Middle Eastern ally.
The Israeli operation, dubbed “Rising Lion,” struck multiple high-value sites including the Natanz nuclear facility, ballistic missile production plants, and key military command centers. The offensive drew global attention and was followed by Iranian retaliatory missile strikes on Israeli cities, injuring civilians and raising fears of a broader conflict.
Despite the escalation, Trump maintained a diplomatic tone, saying, “They can still work out a deal, however, it’s not too late.” He emphasized the importance of deterrence and dismissed suggestions that the strikes had destabilized the region.
Later Friday, two senior U.S. officials confirmed that American forces played a role in intercepting Iranian missiles aimed at Israeli targets during Tehran’s retaliatory attacks.
While global leaders called for restraint, the Trump administration has continued to express strong support for Israel. “We support Israel. Period,” a White House official said. The remarks come amid rising tensions across the Middle East as both nations exchange threats and strikes, with international efforts underway to prevent the conflict from spiraling further.
