Trump says Israel wouldn't exist without him and Netanyahu, Iran was weeks from nuclear bomb
Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Donald Trump claimed that without him and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel would not exist today.
- He asserted that Iran was two to four weeks away from obtaining a nuclear weapon before the U.S. launched attacks against Tehran.
- Trump also stated that other countries must compensate the U.S. for ensuring security in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global energy trade route.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump asserted that Israel's existence hinges on his and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's actions. During an interview with conservative commentator Hugh Hewitt, Trump claimed that Iran was on the verge of acquiring a nuclear weapon, stating it was only "two to four weeks" away before the United States initiated strikes against Tehran.
I think Israel would not exist today if it weren't for me and Netanyahu.
Trump defended the U.S. military operation, framing it as a necessary measure to prevent Iran from developing nuclear capability. These remarks come amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran, following U.S. attacks on Iranian targets and Iran's retaliatory actions against U.S. allies in the region. The White House maintains these operations aim to degrade Iran's military strength and mitigate threats to Israel and maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran would have obtained a nuclear weapon within two to four weeks.
In the same interview, Trump indicated that Iran would face "very tough" strikes imminently, just before U.S. Central Command confirmed a third consecutive day of attacks. This offensive follows Trump's announcement of a naval blockade against Iran and his declaration that the U.S. would act as the "guardian" of the Strait of Hormuz. He further stipulated that nations benefiting from the strait's trade must compensate the U.S. with 20% of transported cargo for security guarantees, a process he said would begin immediately. Trump emphasized that the U.S. would no longer provide free protection to nations profiting from the strait's transit.
Iran would be hit very hard tonight and tomorrow.
Originally published by ABC Color in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.