Palm Beach, Florida (TDI): US President Donald Trump on Monday warned that the United States would respond swiftly if Iran attempts to rebuild its nuclear program, which he targeted in June.
“I hear Iran is trying to build up again, and if they are, we have to knock them down,” Trump told reporters while welcoming Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida to discuss the next phase of the Gaza plan. “We’ll knock the hell out of them.”
Trump also expressed willingness to negotiate a “deal,” describing it as “much smarter.” He praised Netanyahu, saying, “I feel that if you had the wrong prime minister, Israel would not exist,” and noted that Israeli President Isaac Herzog plans to pardon Netanyahu on corruption-related charges.
On regional issues, Trump said he hoped Israel could maintain stable relations with Syria, even though Netanyahu’s government has continued to infringe upon Syrian territorial sovereignty since Bashar al-Assad was deposed late last year.
Trump also commented on the ongoing war in Ukraine, referring to reports from Russian President Vladimir Putin that Ukraine allegedly attempted to attack Putin’s residence in northern Russia, claims Kyiv has dismissed as baseless and aimed at undermining peace talks.
Read More: Trump Optimistic on Ukraine Peace, Admits No Breakthrough Yet
“I don’t like it. It’s not good,” Trump said. “I learned about it from President Putin today. I was very angry about it. It’s a delicate period. It’s one thing to be offensive, it’s another thing to attack his house. It’s not the right time for that.”
When asked whether US intelligence had evidence of the attack, Trump replied, “We’ll find out,” describing his call with Putin earlier that day as “a very good talk.” He acknowledged that thorny issues remain in efforts to end the war.
Read More: Trump, Netanyahu to Discuss Gaza Plan, Iran and Hezbollah Today
Russia currently controls about a fifth of Ukraine, including Crimea, which it annexed in 2014. Moscow claims the Donbas region, including Donetsk and Luhansk, as well as Zaporizhzhia and Kherson, though these territories are internationally recognized as part of Ukraine. Russia has demanded Kyiv withdraw troops from parts of Donetsk, while Ukraine seeks a halt to fighting along current front lines. Washington has proposed a free economic zone if Kyiv complies.
