Newsletters Events
Logo Logo

The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012

Search

Trump: Israel never talked me into war with Iran

AL-MONITOR
Apr 20, 2026
FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Donald Trump speaks about research into mental health treatments in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., April 18, 2026. REUTERS/Nathan Howard/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Donald Trump speaks about research into mental health treatments in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., April 18, 2026. REUTERS/Nathan Howard/File Photo — Nathan Howard

WASHINGTON, April 20 (Reuters) - President Donald Trump said on Monday that Israel did not persuade him to attack Iran, after news reports that Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu influenced the U.S. president's decision and criticism from right-wing commentators.

"Israel never talked me into the war with Iran, the results of Oct. 7th, added to my lifelong opinion that IRAN CAN NEVER HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON, did," Trump wrote in a Truth Social post.

Trump also said "the results in Iran will be amazing" in the post, which came as the United States prepared to resume negotiations in Pakistan although Iran was undecided.

"And if Iran’s new leaders (Regime Change!) are smart, Iran can have a great and prosperous future!" Trump wrote.

(Reporting by Katharine Jackson and Doina Chiacu; Editing by Michelle Nichols)