President Donald Trump stated Friday that he anticipated Israel’s military strike on Iran if Tehran refused to accept a revised nuclear agreement with the U.S.
Speaking briefly by phone with The New York Post, Trump said, “I always knew the date,” attributing his awareness to his inside knowledge. “I know everything,” he repeated multiple times.
Trump noted he had given Iran a 60-day deadline to comply with the terms of the deal. “I gave them 60 days and they didn’t meet it,” he said. “Today’s 61, you know. Today’s day 61.”
While Israeli media had previously reported the existence of a 60-day window, Trump had not confirmed or discussed it publicly until after Thursday’s military operation. He had also not disclosed whether he fully backed giving Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu authorization to strike.
On Friday, Netanyahu issued a video statement confirming that Israel had informed the U.S. about the operation beforehand. “They knew about the attack,” Netanyahu said. “What will they do now? I leave that to President Trump.”
Indications of an imminent military move appeared on Wednesday when non-essential U.S. personnel were ordered to evacuate certain regional outposts.
Trump had publicly expressed a desire to pursue diplomacy with