On Tuesday, US President Donald Trump firmly dismissed speculation that Israel could resort to nuclear weapons in a conflict with Iran. His comments were in response to remarks by his adviser David Sacks, who had suggested on a podcast that Israel might escalate tensions to consider such drastic measures. Trump emphasized that he believes Israel would not undertake such actions, stating confidently, "Israel wouldn’t do that. Israel will never do that."

Israel's policy regarding its nuclear capabilities is characterized by deliberate ambiguity; the country has neither confirmed nor denied that it possesses nuclear weapons. This strategic ambiguity is seen as a way to prevent regional escalation of conflicts and to mitigate international scrutiny. Israeli officials have historically maintained that they will not be the first to introduce nuclear weapons into the Middle East, despite widespread assessments that they possess a significant nuclear arsenal, with estimates from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute suggesting around 90 nuclear warheads.

The implications of Trump's comments highlight the delicate balance of military power and diplomatic relations in the Middle East. By reinforcing the rhetoric that Israel would not pursue a nuclear option, Trump aims to stabilize perceptions in the region while deflecting fears of nuclear escalation. This stance also aligns with broader US interests in preventing nuclear proliferation in an already volatile area, as it encourages diplomatic resolutions to conflicts rather than military escalation.