WATCH: Trump Reveals He Was the One Who Pushed Israel into the Iran War

President Donald Trump provided a definitive update on the progress of the war against the Iranian regime during a high level meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in the Oval Office this Tuesday. Addressing reports that Israel had maneuvered the United States into the military campaign, the President flipped the narrative, suggesting that he was the primary driver behind the decision to launch the massive joint operation. Trump painted a picture of a shattered Iranian military, claiming that the regime’s strategic assets, including its navy, air force, and radar defenses, have been effectively liquidated. As the administration prepares for the final phases of the military campaign, the President also issued severe warnings to European allies like Spain who have failed to support the effort, promising to sever trade ties with nations that do not stand with the coalition against what he called a "mentally ill and mad" leadership in Tehran.

Setting the Record Straight on the Alliance

The President addressed the friction regarding the origins of the war, specifically responding to comments made by Secretary of State Marco Rubio about Israel's readiness to strike alone. "Israel did not force me to attack, maybe I forced them," Trump stated, clarifying that the decision was a mutual realization of an imminent threat. He revealed that his personal assessment was that Iran was preparing to launch a first strike that would have triggered a global nuclear disaster. "If we hadn't attacked, there would have been a nuclear war. The Iranians would have destroyed many countries, they are mentally ill and mad," the President explained. He emphasized that rather than having his hand twisted by Jerusalem, he may have been the one to "bend their hand" to ensure a decisive preemptive move.

The Total Destruction of Iranian Defenses

According to the President, the Iranian regime’s ability to defend its territory or project power has been almost entirely neutralized. Trump provided a blunt summary of the battlefield results, stating that the Iranian navy and air force have been eliminated. "They have no radar and air defense, everything was liquidated," he asserted. The President criticized the regime for targeting neutral countries and focusing exclusively on civilian sites such as hotels and apartment buildings, contrastingly noting that the US and Israel are hitting "much more appropriate" strategic targets. He warned that the Iranian leadership is "going to suffer a lot of pain" as the coalition finishes the job of dismantling their remaining military structures.

Post War Iran and International Consequences

Looking toward the future of the Iranian state, Trump expressed a desire to see the country returned to its citizens, though he remained cautious about who should lead. While he described Reza Pahlavi as a "nice guy," the President suggested that someone currently inside Iran might be a better fit to lead a more moderate government. He also revealed that many individuals within the Iranian regime are already reaching out to the United States to "request immunity." On the international stage, Trump was unforgiving toward European nations that have stayed on the sidelines. He specifically called out Spain, labeling their lack of cooperation as "terrible" and vowing to "stop trade with them" as a consequence. As the war enters its final stages, the President made it clear that the focus remains on finishing the military mission before any political transitions can begin.