Trump dismisses his adviser’s escalation warning
US President Donald Trump believed Israel would never use nuclear weapons in its ongoing war with Iran. Trump dismissed warnings from one of his advisers that the conflict could escalate if it continued indefinitely.
Speaking at the White House on Monday, Trump rejected speculation raised by adviser David Sacks, who suggested Israel might consider a nuclear option if the war drags on for weeks or months.
“Israel wouldn’t do that. Israel would never do that,” Trump told reporters, brushing aside concerns about a possible nuclear escalation.
Earlier, Sacks, a venture capitalist serving as the administration’s adviser on artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency, urged Washington to consider an “off-ramp” from the conflict. Speaking on his “All-In” podcast, he warned that prolonged fighting could strain Israel’s military defences.
He argued that if the war continues for weeks or months, Israel’s air defence systems could eventually be exhausted. Consequently, he suggested that such a scenario might increase the risk of drastic escalation.
Hormuz tensions deepen energy concerns
Meanwhile, the conflict has increasingly spread to the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas shipments normally pass.
Following joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran, Tehran has targeted shipping in the Strait with drones, missiles, and naval mines. As a result, tanker traffic has been disrupted, raising fears of a potential global energy shock.
Trump again called on allied nations to help secure the vital route. However, he criticised several partners for what he described as lukewarm support despite long-standing US security commitments.
At the same time, Trump said Iran might want to negotiate an end to the war but acknowledged uncertainty over the country’s leadership after the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei earlier in the conflict.
The US-Israel launched the war on February 28, and it has expanded to the Gulf countries with no immediate sign of a ceasefire.
