President Donald Trump publicly admonished Israel and Iran on Tuesday, declaring both nations violated a ceasefire he announced just hours earlier. In unusually blunt criticism directed at a close ally, Trump expressed particular displeasure with Israel’s actions, stating he was “not happy” with either country.
Speaking to reporters before departing the White House for a NATO summit in The Hague, Trump accused Israel of undermining the deal almost immediately. “I didn’t like the fact that Israel unloaded it right after they made the deal. They didn’t have to unload it,” Trump said. He described the Israeli response as “very strong” and referenced massive bombings: “Israel, as soon as we made the deal, they came out and they dropped bombs that I’ve never seen before. The biggest load that we’ve ever seen.”
Trump also claimed Iran had violated the truce, though he offered fewer specifics beyond stating, “I’m not happy with Iran either.” He controversially declared, “Iran’s nuclear capability was gone,” a claim not substantiated by recent international reports. Trump suggested both nations were blinded by prolonged conflict: “We basically have two countries that have been fighting so long and so hard that they don’t know what they’re doing.”
His frustration extended to Israel’s reported reason for resuming strikes – a rocket that “didn’t land anywhere.” “Now I hear that Israel just pulled out because they felt it was violated by a rocket that didn’t land anywhere. We don’t want that,” Trump remarked.
Shortly after takeoff, Trump amplified his message on Truth Social, issuing a direct warning: “Israel should not drop any more bombs on Iran or it would be a violation of the ceasefire.” This public admonition came amid reports from Israeli media, citing sources, of a tense phone call between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
According to the Axios report, Netanyahu informed Trump he could not cancel a planned Israeli attack, arguing a response was necessary to Iran’s initial violation of the ceasefire. This stance directly contradicted Trump’s public demands for de-escalation.
Trump reiterated his call for restraint to reporters: “I have to tell Israel to calm down now.” He later posted on Truth Social claiming a resolution: “All the planes would turn back and go home.” However, independent confirmation of this claim was not immediately available from Israeli or Iranian sources.
Trump’s public criticism, especially targeting Israel, marks a significant and volatile moment in the ongoing crisis. His attempts to broker a ceasefire appear to have unraveled rapidly, with both sides accused of violations. The reported refusal by Netanyahu to halt military action despite Trump’s warning underscores the fragility of the situation and the potential limits of Trump’s influence. The claim regarding Iran’s nuclear capability remains unverified and adds another layer of complexity. The international community awaits concrete signs of de-escalation following Trump’s claim that strikes have been called off.
