'If I Didn’t Act, Israel Wouldn’t Exist': Trump Claims US Actions Prevented Regional Collapse
'If I Didn’t Act, Israel Wouldn’t Exist': Trump Claims US Actions Prevented Regional Collapse Published By, Last Updated: June 20, 2026, 03:06 IST Trump pointed
'If I Didn’t Act, Israel Wouldn’t Exist': Trump Claims US Actions Prevented Regional Collapse Published By, Last Updated: June 20, 2026, 03:06 IST Trump pointed to US military operations targeting Iranian nuclear infrastructure, describing them as decisive in preventing further escalation. US President Donald Trump has expressed displeasure with Israel's campaign in Lebanon | File photo credit: AFP US President Donald Trump claimed his foreign policy decisions were essential to Israel’s survival, arguing that without US intervention, the country would have faced existential danger amid escalating regional conflicts. “If it weren’t for Donald Trump… Israel would’ve been eviscerated," Trump said during an interview, crediting his administration’s military and diplomatic actions for reshaping the regional balance of power.
He tied his remarks directly to his decision to withdraw from the Iran nuclear agreement, formally known as the JCPOA, which he repeatedly criticized as fundamentally flawed. “If I didn’t terminate the Barack Hussein Obama deal… Israel would not exist today," Trump said, referring to the agreement he pulled the US out of during his first term. Trump also pointed to US military operations targeting Iranian nuclear infrastructure, describing them as decisive in preventing further escalation. “The B2 bombers did their job," he said, referring to air operations he claimed significantly degraded Iran’s nuclear capabilities and military readiness. In his account, these actions collectively formed what he described as a necessary intervention to prevent a broader regional collapse, particularly amid heightened tensions involving Iran and Israel.
Trump’s comments come against the backdrop of an increasingly strained dynamic between Washington and Jerusalem. At the centre of the tension is Trump’s push for a broader regional arrangement involving Iran, including efforts to stabilise maritime routes and ease pressure on energy markets. Those efforts have at times clashed with Israeli military actions, particularly in Lebanon, which have complicated ongoing diplomatic negotiations. Trump has privately and publicly expressed frustration with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s approach to the conflict, suggesting it risks undermining US-led diplomatic efforts. Despite these tensions, Trump framed his overall strategy as one that prioritises deterrence and military strength combined with negotiation leverage, arguing that without such pressure, adversaries would have escalated further.
The BriefWire