'Tried To Save Iran...': Trump Says He Knew 'Everything' About Israeli Strikes
US President Donald Trump said he knew everything about Israel's plan to launch strikes against Iran which has killed 78 people so far. His remark comes after he urged Israel for months not to strike Iran while he worked toward a nuclear deal.
"We knew everything, and I tried to save Iran from humiliation and death," he told Reuters. "I tried to save them very hard because I would have loved to have seen a deal worked out," he added.
"They can still work out a deal, however, it’s not too late," he added.
Trump's Request To Netanyahu
Trump has repeatedly urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to delay the strikes to give diplomacy more time. However, he himself had threatened to bomb the Gulf nation if nuclear talks failed.
The US President extended support for Israel's decision to launch the strikes and showed willingness to embrace the use of military force to set back Iran's nuclear programme.
When asked if the US would support Israel against Iranian counterattacks, Trump said he supported Israel. He further said he was not concerned about a regional war breaking out as a result of strikes by Israel without elaborating.
“We’ve been very close to Israel. We’re their number one ally by far," Trump told Reuters, adding, "We'll see what happens."
Iran Attacks Israel
Iran late Friday night launched a barrage of rockets towards Israel as its Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed that Iran would "inflict heavy blows" on Israel.
78 people have been killed in Iran so far while 320 have been wounded while 7 Israelis were injured in the central region in retaliatory strikes by Tehran.
The Israeli strikes have "destroyed" a key aboveground section of the Natanz enrichment plant and attacked Fordow, Isfahan nuclear sites, said the International Atomic Energy Agency.
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