In a recent joint press conference with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the White House, former U.S. President Donald Trump asserted that the decision to engage in military confrontations with Iran was primarily his own initiative. He expressed that prior to the action, the U.S. was in negotiations with Tehran, but he believed that Iran was preparing for an imminent attack, which led Washington to take preemptive action. Trump emphasized that he compelled Israel to participate in the military campaign, yet he noted that both countries were ready for such an engagement.

Trump outlined the successes of the U.S.-Israeli strikes against Iranian military capabilities, claiming significant damage to Iran's naval and aerial forces, as well as their radar and air defense systems. He detailed that 49 Iranian leaders were killed in the initial strike, with subsequent attacks targeting additional Iranian leadership. The former president hinted at a potential third wave of strikes, stating that the Iranian regime is receiving severe blows.

In connection to the broader geopolitical landscape, Trump accused Iran of threatening neutral countries in the region, including Qatar, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Oman. He characterized these actions as part of Iran's aggressive strategy, reinforcing his justification for the military actions taken by the U.S. and Israel. Trump's statements signal a continuation of his administration's hardline stance on Iran, which remains a contentious issue in international relations today.