Worthy Christian News > Israel-Palestinian Conflict > Trump Says He Didn’t ‘Wave Off’ Israeli Strike on Iran, But Is ‘Not in a Rush to Do It’ (Video)

Trump Says He Didn’t ‘Wave Off’ Israeli Strike on Iran, But Is ‘Not in a Rush to Do It’ (Video)

by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday he was in no rush to approve military strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, following a New York Times report that he had blocked an Israeli proposal for a joint attack next month.

Trump offered a partial confirmation of the report when asked if he had “waved off” the Israeli plan. “I wouldn’t say ‘waved off,’” he replied.

Speaking from the Oval Office alongside Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, President Donald Trump appeared to confirm reports he had blocked an Israeli proposal for a joint strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities, saying, “I’m not in a rush to do it.”

Trump emphasized diplomacy as his preferred path forward. “Iran has a chance to have a great country, and to live happily without death, and I’d like to see that. That’s my first option,” he said.

However, he issued a stark warning about the alternative. “If there’s a second option, I think it would be very bad for Iran,” he said. “And I think Iran is wanting to talk. I hope they’re wanting to talk. It’s going to be very good for them if they do. Iran can’t have a nuclear weapon. It’s pretty simple.”

His comments came just days before the U.S. and Iran are set to hold a second round of nuclear talks, now confirmed to take place in Rome on Saturday.

The talks aim to explore a diplomatic resolution over Tehran’s nuclear program, as regional tensions remain high.

Earlier, The New York Times reported that Israel had planned to strike Iran’s nuclear sites as early as next month. However, President Trump recently blocked the operation while negotiations were playing out, hoping to forge a deal to curb Tehran’s nuclear program.

Israel explored options for a joint U.S.-Israeli operation, considering either a massive bombing campaign or a coordinated attack using airstrikes and commando raids, mirroring its previous strike on Syria’s underground nuclear reactor.

Israeli officials reportedly waited for Donald Trump to take office in hopes of securing his support. However, according to the NY Times report, several members of his administration opposed military action, favoring diplomatic efforts to reach a deal with Iran with hopes to avoid dragging the U.S. into a wider war.

ISRAELI OFFICIALS SLAM NYT LEAK ON IRAN STRIKE PLANS

A senior Israeli official condemned the leak behind The New York Times report on Israel’s strike plans against Iran, calling it “one of the most dangerous leaks in Israel’s history,” according to The Jerusalem Post.

The fallout in Israel was swift. Several politicians accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of orchestrating the leak to shield himself from criticism over his perceived inaction on Iran.

“I read the entire leak in the New York Times, and I thought how lucky we were that Netanyahu wasn’t prime minister when we bombed the nuclear reactors in Syria and Iraq,” former defense minister Avigdor Lieberman posted on X.

According to The Post, political figures allege that Netanyahu leaked the details in a bid to counter claims that he talks tough on Iran but has failed to follow through.

MILITARY PREPARED IF DIPLOMACY FAILS

If diplomacy fails, the United States, along with Israel, is prepared to proceed with military action against the Iranian nuclear program, as the Pentagon has deployed two carrier strike groups in the region, along with the build-up of fighter jets, bombers, and support aircraft positioned near Iran. The U.S. also deployed additional air defense systems in Israel in the event a war broke out with Iran.

IRAN’S NUCLEAR AMBITIONS CONNECTED TO PROPHECY?

While the West often views Iran’s nuclear program through a secular lens, the spiritual aspect, which plays a central role in driving Iran’s nuclear ambitions, should not be overlooked. Iran is the only country where Twelver Shi’ism is the state religion.

Twelver Shīʿism, the largest branch of Shīʿa Islam, makes up about 85% of Shīʿas. “Twelver” signifies belief in twelve divinely appointed leaders, the Twelve Imams, with the last, Imam al-Mahdi, expected to return as the Mahdi. Twelvers see the Imams as Muhammad’s spiritual and political successors, guiding with justice and interpreting the inner meanings of the Qur’an and Islamic law. They are viewed as infallible (Ismah) and divinely chosen (nass).

The Twelvers believe that the Mahdi is expected to appear in times of extreme chaos, returning alongside Jesus as a messiah to bring peace and establish Islam globally.

Twelver beliefs, Iran’s nuclear ambitions, and threats toward Israel and the West have raised concerns. Critics suggest that Iran’s Supreme Leader might incite conflict to hasten the 12th Imam’s arrival. Former Iranian President Ahmadinejad has even called for the Imam’s return at the UN, asserting that the Islamic Revolution’s primary goal is to prepare for his reappearance.