U.S. President Donald Trump addressed tensions between Israel and Iran on Thursday, stating that it “would be nice” if Israel could avoid military strikes on Iranian facilities.
Speaking in the Oval Office while signing executive orders, Trump was asked about a potential Israeli attack on Iran’s nuclear sites. “It would really be nice if that could be worked out without having to go that further step,” Trump responded.
However, he added, “Iran will hopefully make a deal, and if they don’t make a deal, that’s okay too.” His comments come amid rising tensions in the Middle East. On the same day, Iran condemned Trump’s decision to re-designate Yemen’s Houthi movement as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO).
According to Reuters, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei called the move “baseless,” arguing that it would impose severe economic penalties and harm Yemeni civilians. Trump’s move reverses the Biden administration’s policy, which had removed the Houthis from the FTO list.
This decision is expected to escalate tensions further, as Iran continues to support the Houthis in their conflict against Saudi Arabia and its allies. As regional tensions persist, Israel remains concerned about Iran’s nuclear ambitions and military activities.
While Trump signaled a preference for diplomatic solutions, his stance indicates that he remains open to other approaches if negotiations fail.
