Trump warns he'll back Israeli strike on Iran over menacing nuclear threat
President Donald Trump warned he's prepared to support Israeli strikes on Iran if it continues to build up its nuclear and ballistic missile programs.
President Donald Trump warned he's prepared to support Israeli strikes on Iran if it continues to build up its nuclear and ballistic missile programs.
Before his meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday to discuss the next phase of the plan to rebuild Gaza, Trump said that Israel is poised to strike 'fast' if Iran continues to build up its military programs.
'Now I hear that Iran is trying to build up again, and if they are, we have to knock them down. We'll knock the hell out of them,' Trump told reporters.
'But hopefully that's not happening. I heard Iran wants to make a deal. If they want to make a deal, that's much smarter.'
Israeli officials have expressed concern recently about Iran rebuilding its long-range missile capabilities.
Over the summer, the US bombed Iran's nuclear enrichment lab at Fordow in Operation Midnight Hammer after warnings from Israel. Trump has consistently said that Iran should not be allowed to create a nuclear weapon.
The president also noted that he is interested in getting Netanyahu a pardon for corruption allegations that have dogged the prime minister, noting on Monday that a pardon is 'on its way' and the Israeli leader has 'done a phenomenal job.'
Though Israeli President Isaac Herzog's office quickly denied any conversation about a pardon for Netanyahu. 'There was no conversation between President Herzog and President Trump since the pardon was submitted,' the Israeli president's office said in a statement on Monday shortly after Trump's remarks.
President Donald Trump greets Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at his Mar-a-Lago club, Monday, Dec. 29, 2025, in Palm Beach, Florida
A satellite overview shows the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Facility, along with damage from June airstrikes, amid the Iran-Israel conflict
Trump and Netanyahu have met five times this year in person
It is the first face-to-face meeting the pair have had since Trump traveled to Jerusalem in October to triumphantly declare a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
However, the peace has been tenuous, and both Hamas and Israel have accused each other of violating the agreement.
One sticking point for Netanyahu: Hamas has returned all but one of the 255 hostages taken during their October 7, 2023, assault on Israel.