US President Donald Trump, in an interview with Fox News said that he had prior information regarding Israel’s strikes on Iran that killed several people, including Revolutionary Guards Commander Hossein Salami.
Trump also said that he hopes that Iran will return to the negotiating table.
“Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb and we are hoping to get back to the negotiating table. We will see. There are several people in leadership that will not be coming back,” Trump told Fox News.
According to the Fox News report, the Trump administration reached out to at least one key Middle Eastern ally to acknowledge that the strike was going to happen, but that the US was not involved in the strikes.
Meanwhile, Iran has vowed retaliation against the strikes. An Iranian security source told news agency Reuters that Tehran is planning to give a response to Israel that will be “harsh and decisive”. The official added that retaliation is being discussed at the highest levels.
Trump in the interview also said that he is watching for any retaliation, and US Central Command (CENTCOM) is on high alert. He also said that the US is ready to defend itself and Israel in case of any retaliation from Iran.
Israel, meanwhile, is fully on alert, with Military Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir saying that tens of thousands of soldiers have been called up and that they are “prepared across all borders”. “I warn anyone who will try to challenge us will pay a heavy price,” he told Reuters.
Israel has also issued a national emergency, with Defence Minister Israel Katz asking citizens to obey instructions of the Home Front command and the authorities, and remain in the protected areas.
