Trump claims Israel never pressured him on Iran conflict

US President Donald Trump has made a statement on social media regarding his involvement in the conflict with Iran. In a post on Monday, Trump claimed that Israel did not persuade him to take military action against Iran.

Trump stated that his “lifelong opinion” that Iran cannot possess a nuclear weapon was influenced by events following October 7th, and that he had previously said the US strikes on Iranian facilities in June 2025 “obliterated” the country’s nuclear program. Trump’s intelligence chief, Tulsi Gabbard, testified to Congress in March that Iran is not building a nuclear weapon.

The conflict began after joint US-Israeli strikes killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and other top officials on February 28. Iran responded by blocking the Strait of Hormuz, leading to an increase in oil prices and fueling inflation in the US. The price of petrol has remained above $4 per gallon since before the war.

A recent poll by NBC News found that two-thirds of Americans disapprove of Trump’s handling of the conflict. Some critics have pointed to Israel as the driving force behind the war, with Trump portrayed as a weak leader following Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Trump has also renewed his criticism of the mainstream media for its coverage of the conflict. He claimed that 90% of what they report is false and that polls are rigged. The US president has touted his policies in Venezuela, where the country has remained stable under US influence since January.

The conflict with Iran is currently paused, with further talks between US and Iranian officials scheduled to take place in Pakistan this week. Both sides have threatened to renew fighting if a deal is not reached.

Source: Al Jazeera