Trump claims he was aware of Israel’s attack plan, Rubio refutes any connection, but Iran remains skeptical.

On early Friday, June 13, Israel launched an attack on Iran. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the operation would persist for as long as necessary to eliminate the ‘threat to Israel’s existence.’ In anticipation of potential retaliation from Tehran, Netanyahu declared a state of emergency.

In a video message posted on social media, the Israeli Prime Minister stated: “I want to express my gratitude to President Trump for his leadership in tackling Iran’s nuclear weapons program. He has consistently affirmed that Iran cannot possess a nuclear enrichment program.”

However, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio quickly refuted any claims of US involvement.
“Tonight, Israel acted independently against Iran. We are not engaged in strikes against Iran, and our primary concern is protecting American forces in the region,” Rubio’s statement, disseminated by the White House, articulated.

Despite the US distancing itself from any association, US President Donald Trump informed Fox News that he was aware of Israel’s intention to strike Iran prior to the event, as reported by the US broadcaster. “Iran cannot acquire a nuclear bomb, and we hope to return to the negotiating table. We will see,” Trump remarked, according to Fox News.

Just days earlier, at the Kennedy Centre, Trump stated that the region “could be a dangerous place” and reiterated the US stance on Iran’s nuclear ambitions, asserting “they can’t have a nuclear weapon. It’s that simple. They can’t have a nuclear weapon. We will not allow that.”

Soon after, the US State Department directed non-emergency government personnel to exit Iraq. The US has advised some staff to leave the Baghdad embassy and permitted military personnel’s families to depart the Middle East following Iran’s threats to strike US bases if discussions regarding its nuclear program did not proceed.

Although the US has denied any involvement, Iran remains skeptical.

Hours after the attack on Friday, July 13, Brigadier General Abolfazl Shekarchi, spokesperson for Iran’s Armed Forces, stated on state media that the military strikes were conducted with US support, adding that “Israel will face severe consequences.”

Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader, proclaimed that the Israeli regime has sealed its own “bitter and painful” fate, as reported by the country’s official news agency IRNA.

“The Zionist regime committed a crime in our beloved country with its malicious and bloody hands and further revealed its evil nature by targeting residential areas… The regime should prepare for a strong retaliation,” Khamenei declared.

Iranian state media confirmed the demise of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Commander Hossein Salami in the Israeli strike. General Mohammad Bagheri, the chief of staff of Iran’s armed forces, was also reported dead in the strikes, as stated by Iranian state television.

Nuclear scientists Fereydoun Abbasi-Davani and Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi were reported killed, according to a Reuters update.

Also read: Multiple flights have been disrupted due to the Israel-Iran conflict

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