Amid escalating tensions between Iran and Israel, former U.S. President Donald Trump has weighed in, stating that while a peace agreement is necessary, both nations might need to “fight it out” before coming to the table.
Speaking to reporters at the White House on Sunday before heading to the G7 summit in Canada, Trump remarked, “I think it’s time for a deal,” but also noted, “Sometimes they have to fight it out, but we’ll see what happens,” as hostilities between the two countries intensify.
The conflict, which erupted on Friday, has seen Israel launch a wave of airstrikes across Iran, targeting nuclear sites, military installations, and residential areas. These strikes have reportedly claimed the lives of several high-ranking Iranian military officials and nuclear scientists.
While Iran and Israel have long been engaged in a shadow war involving proxy battles and covert missions, the current flare-up marks one of the most open and direct clashes between the two, sparking fears of a broader conflict engulfing the Middle East.
When questioned about whether the U.S. had asked Israel to delay further attacks, Trump declined to respond. However, a senior American official disclosed to AFP that Trump had previously blocked an Israeli operation aimed at assassinating Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
On his Truth Social platform, Trump remained hopeful, stating, “They should make a deal, and will make a deal,” and mentioned that “many calls and meetings” were currently in progress to de-escalate the crisis. He concluded by expressing optimism that a resolution could be reached “soon.”