As Israeli airstrikes on Iran entered a third day and the region teetered on the brink of a wider conflict, US President Donald Trump took to Truth Social on Sunday, claiming he could bring peace between Israel and Iran just as he had done with other historic adversaries, pointing to his past efforts in de-escalating tensions between India and Pakistan.In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote, “Iran and Israel should make a deal, and will make a deal, just like I got India and Pakistan to make, in that case by using TRADE with the United States to bring reason, cohesion, and sanity into the talks with two excellent leaders who were able to quickly make a decision and STOP!”As fighting continues in the Middle East, Trump said he’s been taking calls and holding meetings behind the scenes. “Likewise, we will have PEACE, soon, between Israel and Iran! Many calls and meetings now taking place,” he added.
The President highlighted other international conflicts he claimed to have intervened. “During my first term, Serbia and Kosovo were going at it hot and heavy, as they have for many decades, and this long time conflict was ready to break out into WAR. I stopped it,” he said, blaming former President Joe Biden for hurting longer-term prospects with “some very stupid decisions.”He also cited Egypt and Ethiopia’s tensions over the Nile River dam. “There is peace, at least for now, because of my intervention, and it will stay that way!”Despite escalating Israeli airstrikes and rising casualties in Iran and Israel, Trump said peace is still possible. “I do a lot, and never get credit for anything, but that’s OK, the PEOPLE understand. MAKE THE MIDDLE EAST GREAT AGAIN!” he concluded.Meanwhile, the region remains on edgeTrump’s comments come amid a sharp escalation between Israel and Iran. Following surprise Israeli strikes on Iranian military and nuclear sites on Friday, which killed top generals and scientists, Iran has fired over 270 missiles in retaliation, with 22 hitting Israeli targets. Israel has warned of broader strikes and advised Iranian civilians to evacuate arms factories.Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said that if Israel’s strikes on Iran stop, then “our responses will also stop.” He said the United States “is a partner in these attacks and must take responsibility.”Trump doubles down on peace dealEarlier, Trump had also posted that the US was not involved in the Israeli attacks but warned that any Iranian retaliation against the US would result in an American response “at levels never seen before.” Still, he insisted, “we can easily get a deal done between Iran and Israel, and end this bloody conflict!!!”Fallout from strikes on nuclear facilitiesMeanwhile, satellite imagery has confirmed damage to Iran’s key nuclear sites in Natanz and Isfahan. Experts say it could take months or more to repair the damage. Israel claims the strikes were preemptive to prevent Iran from building nuclear weapons, something Tehran has consistently denied.