New Delhi: US President Donald Trump Tuesday lost his cool with both Iran and Israel, after reports of both countries violating the ceasefire hours after he announced it.
In unusually strong language, particularly when it comes to Israel, Trump said, “As soon as we made the deal, they dropped a load of bombs—the biggest we’ve ever seen. I’m not happy with Israel.”
Speaking to reporters, he also said, “These two countries have been fighting so long and so hard they don’t even know what the f*** they’re doing.”
Shortly after, in a post on Truth Social, Trump claimed that Israeli warplanes were turning back from Iranian airspace and would perform a “friendly plane wave” as a gesture of de-escalation. This followed, according to media reports, an “exceptionally firm and direct call” between Trump and Netanyahu.
Iran and Israel exchanged strikes for the 12th day Tuesday, even as Trump announced the ceasefire on Truth Social. The development came hours after Iran fired dozens of missiles at an American air base in Qatar in retaliation for US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities Sunday.
Trump also backtracked from his remarks on regime change Tuesday, telling reporters he didn’t “want” it
“No. If there was, there was, but no, I don’t want it. I’d like to see everything calm down as quickly as possible,” he said, “Regime change takes chaos, and ideally we don’t want to see so much chaos.”
He had earlier floated the possibility, saying in a post on Truth Social Monday, “If the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn’t there be a Regime change???”
On Tuesday, he further told reporters, “You know, the Iranians are very good traders, very good businesspeople, and they got a lot of oil. They should be fine. They should be able to rebuild and do a good job.”
“They’re never going to have nuclear, but other than that they should do a great job.”
He also earlier posted a message along similar lines on Truth Social, where he said, “IRAN WILL NEVER REBUILD THEIR NUCLEAR FACILITIES!”
He took credit for the ceasefire being followed.
“Heading to NATO where, at worst, it will be a much calmer period than what I just went through with Israel and Iran. I look forward to seeing all of my very good European friends, and others. Hopefully, much will be accomplished!” he said on Truth Social, following it up with “China can now continue to purchase Oil from Iran. Hopefully, they will be purchasing plenty from the U.S., also. It was my Great Honor to make this happen!”
Iran claims nuclear scientist killed
The ceasefire brokered to halt 12 days of escalating conflict between Israel and Iran, was accepted by both sides. However, soon after, Israel claimed Iran fired missiles into its airspace after the ceasefire went into effect. Iranian state media, meanwhile, denied any such attacks.
According to Iran’s central military command via state TV, Israeli attacks occurred in three waves up to 5:30 am UK time—just before the truce was supposed to take effect.
Iranian state TV claimed that a senior Iranian nuclear scientist, Mohammad Reza Sedighi Saber, was killed in an Israeli airstrike Tuesday.
“ISRAEL. DO NOT DROP THOSE BOMBS. IF YOU DO IT IS A MAJOR VIOLATION. BRING YOUR PILOTS HOME, NOW!” Trump said on Truth Social.
Netanyahu’s office confirmed that Israel targeted an Iranian radar installation in response to a missile attack early Tuesday but said further military action was paused after a direct appeal from Trump.
“After President Trump spoke with Prime Minister Netanyahu, Israel chose not to carry out additional strikes,” a statement said.
Israel later confirmed it had conducted a limited strike against a radar installation near Tehran in response to what it called “Iranian violations”. According to Netanyahu’s office, Iran launched one missile at 07:06 local time and two more at 10:25—both after the ceasefire’s official start.
The Israeli statement also noted Trump’s “immense appreciation” for Israel’s military campaign and his “confidence in the stability of the ceasefire”.
(Edited by Sanya Mathur)