President Donald Trump said Tuesday that he directed US forces to join Israel’s assault on Iran because he believed Tehran was preparing to strike first, contradicting the explanation offered a day earlier by Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Speaking in the Oval Office alongside German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Trump rejected claims that Israel pressured Washington into the conflict. Instead, he said ongoing negotiations with Iran had convinced him that Tehran would launch an attack if the United States did not act preemptively.
Rubio had told reporters Monday that Washington anticipated Israeli military action would trigger Iranian retaliation against American forces. Therefore, he said, the administration decided to strike first to avoid heavier casualties.
Conservative Critics Question Rationale
However, Trump’s remarks fueled criticism from some conservative commentators and Democrats, who described the conflict as a “war of choice.” Podcaster Matt Walsh argued that Rubio’s comments suggested Israel had driven the decision-making. Similarly, broadcaster Megyn Kelly questioned whether the operation primarily served Israeli interests rather than US national security.
Meanwhile, Iran maintained that the US assault was unprovoked. The dispute over the war’s origins has forced the White House into damage control as Republicans seek to retain control of Congress in the November midterm elections.
Geneva Talks and Escalating Tensions
Trump said he believed Iran stood on the brink of launching attacks following negotiations in Geneva last week. Although Tehran described those talks as constructive, US officials said envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner pressed Iran to abandon uranium enrichment. Instead, Iran proposed continuing enrichment at higher levels at the Tehran Research Reactor.
Rubio later clarified on Capitol Hill that the president determined the United States would not “get hit first.”
