U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday greenlit Israeli military strikes against Iran’s missile and nuclear programs, declaring that Israel has the right to act and would receive U.S. support if Tehran continues its weapons development.
Trump made the remarks directly to reporters while appearing with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, marking a clear shift from previous restraint tied to diplomatic engagement with Iran.
Asked whether Israel would be backed if it struck Iranian missile or nuclear sites, Trump said Israel would have U.S. support, warning that Iran would face serious consequences if it pressed ahead with its programs.
The comments come after Iranian officials publicly confirmed that Tehran has not stopped — and does not intend to stop — its missile development or nuclear activities, despite mounting pressure from Washington and Israel.
Until now, Israeli strikes on Iran’s core missile and nuclear infrastructure had been limited amid Trump’s pursuit of a negotiated arrangement with Tehran. Trump’s statement signals that those negotiations have effectively collapsed, removing a key political constraint on Israeli military action.
Netanyahu has repeatedly described Iran’s missile arsenal and nuclear ambitions as an existential threat to Israel, and Israeli officials have long argued that military force may be required to prevent Tehran from advancing its capabilities.
Trump also warned Iran against rebuilding or expanding its nuclear program, saying the United States would respond decisively if Tehran crossed red lines.
There was no immediate announcement of imminent Israeli strikes, but Trump’s remarks were widely interpreted as a political green light for Israel to act, with U.S. backing, against Iranian targets linked to missile development and nuclear activity.
Iran maintains that its missile program is defensive and denies seeking nuclear weapons, while continuing enrichment and weapons-related research.
