President Donald Trump pushed back Monday against reports that Israel influenced his decision to go to war with Iran, saying on Truth Social that it was the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack — not Israeli pressure — that hardened his position on Iran’s nuclear program.
“Israel never talked me into the war with Iran,” Trump wrote. “The results of Oct. 7th, added to my lifelong opinion that IRAN CAN NEVER HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON, did.” He added that “if Iran’s new leaders (Regime Change!) are smart, Iran can have a great and prosperous future.”
The post came a day after the Wall Street Journal published a detailed account — based on multiple senior administration officials — describing Trump’s wartime decision-making as improvised and often made without national security team input.
The report said Trump screamed at aides for hours when two US pilots were shot down over Iran, that advisers kept him away from the situation room because “they believed his impatience wouldn’t be helpful,” and that he was primarily motivated to reach a ceasefire by rising fuel prices and the political risk of a prolonged conflict. The report also said Trump had compared his situation to Jimmy Carter’s 1979 Iran hostage crisis, worrying it could damage him electorally.
Trump dismissed the coverage as fabricated, saying “90% of what they say are lies and made up stories, and the polls are rigged.” He drew a parallel to Venezuela, where he has previously cited the ouster of Nicolás Maduro as a template for what he expects in Iran.
The ceasefire expires on Wednesday, April 22, Tehran has already launched drone strikes on US naval vessels in retaliation for the Touska seizure and pulled out of the Islamabad talks, citing the US blockade and what it called Washington’s excessive demands.
Information for this story was found via the sources and companies mentioned. The author has no securities or affiliations related to the organizations discussed. Not a recommendation to buy or sell. Always do additional research and consult a professional before purchasing a security. The author holds no licenses.
