Following Israel’s deadly strikes on Iran—reportedly killing senior military leaders, including Revolutionary Guards Commander Hossein Salami—former U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a severe warning to Iran and asserted his continued support for Israel’s military posture. Trump made these comments both in an interview with Fox News and in a lengthy statement on his social media platform, where he escalated his rhetoric amid one of the most volatile episodes in the Middle East in recent years.
Trump confirmed that he had prior knowledge of the Israeli strikes, though he claimed that the U.S. was not directly involved. According to Fox News, the Trump administration did inform at least one key Middle Eastern ally about the imminent attack.
In his social media post, Trump declared:
“Certain Iranian hardliners spoke bravely, but they didn’t know what was about to happen. They are all DEAD now, and it will only get worse.”
He added that Iran had multiple chances to make a diplomatic deal with the U.S., but failed each time. Trump emphasized the lethality of U.S. weapons, stating:
“The United States makes the best and most lethal military equipment anywhere in the World, BY FAR, and that Israel has a lot of it, with much more to come – and they know how to use it.”
In the Fox News interview, Trump reaffirmed that:
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Iran cannot be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon.
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He is open to negotiations, saying: “We will see.”
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He believes several current Iranian leaders will not be returning to power following the recent strikes.
Meanwhile, Iran has declared Israel’s actions as a “declaration of war.” A high-level Iranian security source told Reuters that Tehran is preparing a “harsh and decisive” retaliation, with discussions ongoing at the highest levels of leadership.
Israel is bracing for the fallout:
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Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir said tens of thousands of troops have been mobilized across all borders.
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A national emergency has been declared.
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Defence Minister Israel Katz urged citizens to follow instructions from the Home Front Command and remain in protected shelters.
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The military warned that any challenge to Israeli sovereignty would be met with a “heavy price.”
The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) is also on high alert, according to Trump, ready to act if Iran retaliates against American interests or Israeli territory.
Context and Implications
This confrontation marks one of the most dangerous flashpoints in the region in recent decades. The direct targeting of top Iranian military figures is an unprecedented escalation that could reshape the already volatile dynamics in the Middle East. Trump’s aggressive tone and foreknowledge of the strikes may also have strategic and political consequences, especially if the conflict spirals and draws in wider global powers.
At this moment, diplomatic efforts appear nearly stalled, with both sides preparing for more military engagement rather than dialogue. The global community, including India and the EU, has called for de-escalation—but the coming days may determine whether the region descends further into war or finds a path back to diplomacy.
