A major flashpoint in the Middle East erupted into open military confrontation overnight, with Israel launching its most expansive airstrikes on Iran in decades, targeting the country’s military command and nuclear infrastructure. In a dramatic twist, US President Donald Trump claimed credit for setting the stage, citing a 60-day ultimatum he says he gave Iran, even as his own officials denied direct American involvement in the operation.
‘Today is Day 61’: Trump ties himself to Israeli strikes
Despite earlier statements by senior Trump administration figures, including secretary of state Marco Rubio, distancing the US from the Israeli attack, Trump took to Truth Social on Friday to suggest the strikes followed a countdown he had initiated.“Two months ago I gave Iran a 60-day ultimatum to ‘make a deal,'” Trump wrote. “Today is day 61. I told them what to do, but they just couldn’t get there. Now they have, perhaps, a second chance!”In another lengthy post, Trump described warning Iran in “the strongest of words” and claimed Iranian commanders “didn’t know what was about to happen. They are all DEAD now, and it will only get worse!”He added, “There has already been great death and destruction, but there is still time to make this slaughter… come to an end. Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left.”
Israel’s Operation Rising Lion
Early Friday, Israeli fighter jets and drones struck key Iranian military and nuclear facilities in what Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu dubbed “Operation Rising Lion.” The strikes killed six top nuclear scientists and several senior military commanders. Israeli officials declared the operation a necessary pre-emptive strike to dismantle Iran’s weapons capabilities.“This operation will continue for as many days as it takes,” Netanyahu said in a video message, warning of further action against the Iranian regime.
Iran retaliates
Within hours, Iran responded with a heavy barrage of ballistic missiles aimed at Israeli cities including Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Explosions echoed across central Israel into early Saturday as missile defense systems were activated and civilians were urged to take shelter. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it targeted military airbases and weapons production centers that were “sources of the criminal aggression.”A senior Iranian official told CNN, “Everyone will feel it,” referencing further possible retaliation and threats to strike regional bases of any nation that aids Israel.
Trump walks a fine line
While Trump openly praised the Israeli operation—calling it “excellent” in remarks to ABC News—he continued to insist the US played no active military role. “We gave them a chance, and they didn’t take it. They got hit—very hard. And there’s more to come. A lot more,” he told to ABC News.Still, the mixed signals out of Washington have raised eyebrows. Just a day earlier, Trump had called for peaceful diplomatic resolution with Iran.