During a campaign event in North Carolina, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump suggested that Israel should target Iran’s nuclear facilities in response to recent missile attacks by the Islamic Republic. Speaking at a town hall event in Fayetteville, Trump criticized President Joe Biden’s stance on the matter. When asked earlier in the week if he would support strikes against Iranian nuclear sites, Biden had responded, The answer is no.
Trump, however, disagreed, stating that nuclear sites should be the priority target. “They asked him [Biden], ‘Would you hit Iran?’ And he goes, ‘As long as they don’t hit the nuclear stuff.’ That’s the thing you want to hit, right?” Trump said during the event near a significant U.S. military base.
He argued that nuclear weapons represent the greatest risk, and any military action should prioritize dismantling Iran’s nuclear capabilities. “When they asked him that question, the answer should have been, hit the nuclear first, and worry about the rest later,” Trump added.
The discussion surrounding potential strikes on Iranian nuclear sites arose after nearly 200 missiles were fired toward Israel from Iran, increasing regional tensions. Biden expressed his opposition to such strikes, emphasizing a proportional response, adding that G7 members agreed on Israel’s right to defend itself. Trump, who is battling Vice President Kamala Harris for the presidency, accused the Biden administration of mishandling the crisis, laying blame for the growing unrest in the Middle East at their feet.
Trump’s remarks come as international leaders continue to deliberate on the appropriate course of action amidst escalating conflict in the region.
