Trump Meets With Team In Situation Room After Israel Strikes Iran
President Donald Trump is convening a National Security Council meeting on Friday morning in the Situation Room following Israeli strikes on Iran that have heightened tensions in the Middle East.
On Friday morning, the president asserted in a Truth Social post that Israel’s forthcoming attacks on Iran would be “even more brutal,” thereby exerting pressure on Iran to engage in negotiations concerning its nuclear activities.
“There has already been significant death and destruction, yet there remains an opportunity to halt this slaughter, with the next planned attacks being even more brutal. Iran must reach an agreement before there is nothing left, preserving what was once recognized as the Iranian Empire. No more death, no more destruction, JUST DO IT, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE,” Trump stated in the post.
Trump indicated that he cautioned Iran that “the United States produces the finest and most lethal military equipment anywhere in the world, BY FAR, and that Israel possesses a substantial amount of it, with much more on the way – and they are proficient in its use. Certain Iranian hardliners spoke boldly, but they were unaware of what was about to unfold. They are all DEAD now, and the situation will only deteriorate further!”
The United States and Iran are scheduled to engage in another round of nuclear negotiations this weekend in Muscat, Oman, as both parties remain at an impasse regarding Iran’s ability to enrich uranium, even for civilian energy purposes.
It remains uncertain whether the talks will proceed following the recent incident. Trump has advised Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to engage in discussions prior to initiating any military strikes.
“I believe it would jeopardize the situation,” Trump remarked on Thursday when questioned about a hasty Israeli attack. However, he also speculated that it “might actually be beneficial, but it could also jeopardize it.”
In the aftermath of the strikes, Secretary of State Marco Rubio released a statement emphasizing that the US was not involved in the attacks and urged Iran to refrain from targeting US facilities. Earlier, the US had evacuated non-essential embassy staff from Iraq in anticipation of a potential assault.
On Friday morning, Iran launched approximately 100 drones towards Israel in a retaliatory action, which were intercepted by Israel.
Netanyahu revealed that amidst the assault on the regime, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) targeted a significant nuclear facility, Natanz.
Among those who lost their lives were prominent nuclear scientists and military leaders, including General Hossein Salami, the commander-in-chief of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and Major General Mohammad Bagheri, the highest-ranking military official in Iran and chief of staff of the IRGC, along with most of the IRGC air force high command, who were convening in an underground bunker at that moment.
The first wave of attacks impacted over 100 locations, with 200 Israeli fighter jets deploying ‘330 different munitions,’ as reported by the IDF, which also stated that the operations would persist for several days.
In a telephone interview, Trump informed Fox News’s chief political anchor Bret Baier that he had prior knowledge of Israel’s intention to execute preemptive strikes on Iran before they occurred.
‘I just spoke to President Trump. One thing the president was aware of was Israel’s actions before they took place. He provided me with a quote. He stated: ‘Iran cannot possess a nuclear bomb. We are hoping to return to the negotiating table.’ The President is monitoring the situation to see if there will be retaliation… the US will protect itself and Israel if Iran responds,’ Baier remarked.
Israeli airstrikes targeting Iran resulted in the deaths of three high-ranking military officials: Hossein Salami, who serves as the Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), Mohammad Hossein Bagheri, the Chief of the Iranian Armed Forces, and Gholam-Ali Rashid, the Commander of the Iranian Emergency Command.
Trump has indicated that he is keeping a close watch for any potential retaliation, and U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) is currently on heightened alert.
He emphasized that the United States stands ready to defend itself and Israel should Iran choose to respond. Recently, the United States has replenished its stock of Iron Dome missiles.