In a high-stakes geopolitical turn,Trump Hails Israeli Strike on Iran as “Excellent,” Warns Tehran to Make a Deal or Face More Attacks. U.S. President Donald Trump has openly praised Israel’s dramatic airstrikes on Iran, escalating tensions across the Middle East and putting future nuclear negotiations in jeopardy.
The operation, dubbed Operation Rising Lion, targeted over 100 Iranian military and nuclear sites and reportedly killed several top commanders and scientists. Trump, in multiple interviews, warned Tehran to return to the negotiating table before “nothing is left.”
Trump Hails Israeli Strike on Iran as “Excellent,” Warns Tehran to Make a Deal or Face More Attacks
Operation Rising Lion: Israel Strikes at the Heart of Iran’s Nuclear Program
In the early hours of Friday, Israel launched a sweeping aerial campaign against Iran, striking over 100 strategic targets, including uranium enrichment centers in Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed responsibility, calling it a “decisive blow to Iran’s nuclear ambitions.”
The airstrikes also reportedly eliminated top Iranian officials, including IRGC Commander Hossein Salami and nuclear scientists Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi and Fereydoun Abbasi. This operation marks Israel’s largest offensive in recent history and has drawn global attention to the fragility of peace in the Middle East.
Trump: “They Got Hit Very Hard. There’s More to Come.”
In an interview with ABC News, President Trump lauded the Israeli operation, calling it “excellent” and warning that further strikes could follow unless Iran accepts a nuclear deal.
“They got hit about as hard as you’re going to get hit,” he said. “And there’s more to come. A lot more.” On his Truth Social account, Trump posted a blunt message to Iran: “Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left… JUST DO IT, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE.”
He added that Friday marked the 61st day of a 60-day ultimatum he had issued to Tehran, further implying that Iran had missed its final chance at diplomacy.
Trump Confirms Advance Knowledge of Israeli Strikes
Speaking to Reuters, Trump confirmed that the U.S. had advance knowledge of Operation Rising Lion. “We knew everything,” he said, stressing that he had done “everything possible” to avoid a military confrontation.
However, he also hinted at deep U.S.-Israeli coordination, citing multiple calls with Netanyahu in the days leading up to the attack.
Though the Biden administration denies operational involvement, senior officials later confirmed that U.S. military assets helped intercept Iranian missiles aimed at Israel in the hours following the initial assault.
Iran’s Response: “A Declaration of War”
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei issued a chilling statement, calling the Israeli strikes a “declaration of war” and promising “severe punishment.”
President Masoud Pezeshkian vowed retaliation, stating, “The Islamic Republic’s powerful response will make the enemy regret its foolish act.”
Within hours, Iran launched over 100 drones and missiles targeting Israeli cities. The Israeli Defense Forces, with U.S. support, intercepted many of them, including drones flying over Saudi territory.
The Iranian government reported 78 deaths and over 320 injuries, claiming that chemical or radioactive contamination was detected at the damaged Natanz facility.
Trump’s Hardline Message: “They Are All DEAD Now”
While maintaining a call for diplomacy in interviews, Trump’s tone on social media was more provocative.
In a Truth Social post, he declared, “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!”
This stark contrast between Trump’s official stance and online rhetoric reflects his signature approach to foreign policy mixing threats with last-minute offers of diplomacy.
Republican Party Reaction: A Divided Front
Reactions within the GOP have been split. Prominent hawks like Senator Lindsey Graham and Speaker Mike Johnson praised the Israeli strikes.
“Israel IS right and has a right to defend itself!” Johnson posted on X (formerly Twitter). However, conservative voices like Charlie Kirk questioned whether the strike aligns with Trump’s “America First” doctrine.
“How does America First stay consistent with this?” Kirk asked during a livestream, echoing concerns about potential U.S. military entanglements.
Upcoming Nuclear Talks in Jeopardy
The sixth round of U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations was scheduled for Sunday, June 15 in Oman. However, after the Israeli strikes and Iran’s retaliatory attacks, the future of those talks remains uncertain.
Trump indicated that Iran’s nuclear capabilities may have been significantly damaged, possibly removing the need for further negotiation. Despite this, U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff insists that the diplomatic door remains open.
“We remain committed to a peaceful resolution,” a White House official said, though it is unclear whether Iran will still participate.
A Pivotal Moment in Middle East Diplomacy
Experts warn that this series of events could mark a turning point in Middle East diplomacy. “You cannot beat up a guy and then say come and negotiate with me,” said Sina Azodi of George Washington University.
Daniel Byman, a senior fellow at Georgetown University, added, “Israel has clearly decided it can no longer wait. The question now is whether Trump can turn this moment into leverage or whether it backfires.”
Conclusion: Trump Walks a Tightrope Between War and Diplomacy
Five months into his second term, Donald Trump is facing one of the biggest foreign policy crises of his presidency. While he continues to position himself as a peacemaker urging Iran to strike a deal, his enthusiastic support of Israeli military aggression may complicate efforts to de-escalate the conflict.
With over 90 Iranians reportedly dead, Iranian missiles flying, and diplomacy hanging by a thread, the world is watching closely. Trump’s challenge now lies in balancing unflinching support for Israel, maintaining U.S. strategic interests, and avoiding a full-scale regional war. Whether diplomacy can still triumph or whether this marks the dawn of a new war remains to be seen.
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