Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump on Friday urged Israel to strike Iran’s nuclear facilities in response to Iran’s recent missile barrage. Speaking at a campaign event in North Carolina, Trump criticized Democratic President Joe Biden’s opposition to such a move.
At a town hall event in Fayetteville, near a major U.S. military base, Trump referenced a recent question posed to Biden about the possibility of Israel targeting Iran’s nuclear program. Trump mocked Biden’s response, where the president stated, “The answer is no,” when asked if he would support strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites.
Trump responded by saying, “I think he’s got that one wrong.” He argued that Iran’s nuclear sites should be the primary target. “Isn’t that what you’re supposed to hit? I mean, it’s the biggest risk we have, nuclear weapons,” Trump stated. He criticized Biden’s response as weak, suggesting that Israel should strike Iran’s nuclear program first and “worry about the rest later.”
Trump’s remarks come amid rising tensions in the Middle East, where nearly 200 Iranian missiles were fired toward Israel earlier this week. The former president expressed frustration at Biden’s approach, saying, “If they’re going to do it, they’re going to do it. But we’ll find out whatever their plans are.”
In contrast, Biden has taken a more cautious stance. On Wednesday, he said he opposes strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities but acknowledged Israel’s right to respond. He emphasized that any response should be “proportional” and noted that the G7 members support Israel’s right to defend itself.
Biden’s position has drawn criticism from Trump, who is locked in a fierce presidential election battle against Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee. Trump has largely remained quiet on the recent Middle East tensions but broke his silence this week, issuing a sharp statement blaming Biden and Harris for the escalating crisis.
Trump claimed that the current administration’s policies have weakened U.S. influence in the region. He emphasized the threat posed by Iran’s nuclear program, calling it the greatest risk to global security. Trump’s remarks suggest that if elected, he would take a more aggressive stance on Iran and its nuclear ambitions, potentially shifting U.S. policy in the Middle East.
The former president also criticized Biden’s diplomacy, saying the U.S. needs stronger leadership to prevent Iran from advancing its nuclear capabilities. He reiterated his belief that a preemptive strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities would protect Israel and the broader region from future threats.
As the 2024 election approaches, foreign policy, particularly in the Middle East, is likely to become a key issue in the presidential race. Trump’s calls for a more aggressive response to Iran contrast sharply with Biden’s approach, highlighting the deep political divide between the two candidates on matters of national security and foreign relations.
This latest development raises questions about how the U.S. will navigate the growing tensions between Israel and Iran and whether Trump’s proposed actions could alter the course of the conflict if he wins the presidency.
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