Trump says Israel and Iran will make peace ‘soon’ despite rising tensions
The US President warns Iran against attacking US interests amid escalating Israel-Iran conflict and predicted the two nations would soon make peace. He cites his past diplomatic efforts and urges Israel to pursue diplomacy while resisting calls for deeper US involvement
Washington: Former US President Donald Trump on Sunday issued a stark warning to Iran against retaliating on US targets in the Middle East, while also predicting that Israel and Iran would “soon” make a deal to end their escalating conflict.
In an early morning social media post, Trump said the US “had nothing to do with the attack on Iran,” as Israel and Iran exchanged missile strikes for the third consecutive day. Iran, however, has said it would hold the US responsible for backing Israel, which receives significant military support from Washington.
Israel reportedly targeted Iran’s Defence Ministry headquarters in Tehran, along with sites linked to Iran’s nuclear programme. In retaliation, Iranian missiles evaded Israeli air defenses and struck buildings deep inside Israel.
“If we are attacked in any way, shape, or form by Iran, the full strength and might of the US Armed Forces will come down on you at levels never seen before,” Trump said.
Hours later, Trump returned to social media to predict, “Iran and Israel should make a deal, and will make a deal.” He cited his track record of mediating international disputes, referencing efforts between India and Pakistan during a past border standoff.
Trump claimed he played a key role in helping India and Pakistan de-escalate after militants massacred 26 tourists in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam in April. India retaliated with strikes inside Pakistan, which denied any involvement. The confrontation saw missile and drone exchanges across their de facto borders — the most serious flare-up in decades. Trump’s claim of brokering a ceasefire, however, has been disputed by India.
He also highlighted mediation efforts during his first term involving Serbia and Kosovo, and Egypt and Ethiopia. “Likewise, we will have PEACE, soon, between Israel and Iran!” Trump said. “Many calls and meetings now taking place. I do a lot, and never get credit for anything, but that’s OK, the PEOPLE understand. MAKE THE MIDDLE EAST GREAT AGAIN!”
The growing Israel-Iran conflict is testing Trump, who campaigned on promises to end foreign wars in Gaza and Ukraine and pursue a non-interventionist foreign policy. Despite criticizing President Joe Biden for allegedly restraining Israeli action against Iran’s nuclear sites, Trump is now encouraging Israel to consider diplomacy.
Trump’s administration previously pressured Iran to abandon its nuclear ambitions after withdrawing from the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), a deal that curbed Iran’s uranium enrichment in exchange for sanctions relief.
Trump spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday about the Israel-Iran conflict and is scheduled to travel to Canada later Sunday for the G7 summit. The Mideast crisis is expected to dominate discussions with leaders from the UK, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the EU.
Some of Trump’s key supporters have urged restraint. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, and former Fox News host Tucker Carlson have warned against deepening U.S. involvement in the Middle East. Kirk noted that a prolonged conflict could create a “massive schism in MAGA” and disrupt Trump’s re-election campaign.
Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) praised Trump’s caution, saying on NBC’s Meet the Press, “I hope the president’s instincts will prevail. It’s going to be very hard to come out of this with a negotiated settlement. I see more war and more carnage. And it’s not the U.S.’s job to be involved in this war.”
