Donald Trump has issued an ultimatum to Iran after Israel launched strikes on their nuclear sites.
The warning came after a barrage of Israeli missiles struck Iran’s capital, Tehran, and nuclear enrichment sites across the country in what the Israeli military has dubbed Operation Rising Lion, per Time.
The coordinated offensive killed several high-ranking Iranian officials and military scientists and triggered immediate retaliation from Iran, including a wave of drone attacks targeting Israel.
Reacting swiftly on his social platform Truth social Trump didn’t mince words.
“I told them, in the strongest of words, to ‘just do it,’ but no matter how hard they tried, no matter how close they got, they just couldn’t get it done,” he wrote.
Trump further claimed that he had warned Iran weeks earlier.
“I don’t know if you know but I gave them a 60-day warning and today is day 61,” he told CNN. “They should now come to the table to make a deal before it’s too late. It will be too late for them.”
He doubled down on his message with a dark forecast: “There has already been great death and destruction, but there is still time to make this slaughter, with the next already planned attacks being even more brutal, come to an end.
“Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left, and save what was once known as the Iranian Empire. No more death, no more destruction.”
In a separate Truth Social post, he emphasized Israel’s access to advanced U.S. weaponry: “The United States makes the best and most lethal military equipment anywhere in the World, BY FAR, and that Israel has a lot of it, with much more to come. And they know how to use it.”
Despite speculation, the U.S. has denied any direct involvement in the strikes.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio clarified the administration’s position in a statement: “Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region. Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its self-defense.
“President Trump and the Administration have taken all necessary steps to protect our forces and remain in close contact with our regional partners. Let me be clear: Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel.”
According to the Israel Defense Forces, the decision to strike was strategic and non-negotiable.
“Iran is closer than ever to obtaining a nuclear weapon. Weapons of mass destruction in the hands of the Iranian regime are an existential threat to the State of Israel and to the wider world,” said the IDF in a statement.
“The State of Israel has no choice but to fulfill the obligation to act in defense of its citizens.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed that message: “Operation Rising Lion will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat.”
In response, Iran launched approximately 100 drones targeting Israel. Some even entered Jordan’s airspace, according to Jordanian defense officials.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed retribution: “Israel should anticipate a severe punishment.
“It has prepared for itself a bitter, painful fate, which it will definitely see.”
