'Israel, Middle East wouldn't exist: Trump claims he stopped Iran's nuclear threat

Former US President Donald Trump declared in a Truth Social post that Israel and the Middle East would not exist today had he not stopped Iran from developing a nuclear weapon. He claimed his intervention prevented a threat to the region's survival. The remarks come as Trump weighs the possibility of resuming military operations against Iran.

Trump met with his national security team on Wednesday and Thursday to discuss the potential resumption of military actions. He stated that Washington would soon make a decision, emphasizing the goal of ensuring Iran's nuclear program is permanently dismantled. Trump expressed reluctance to destroy the entire country but suggested further strikes may be necessary.

According to a US official, CENTCOM is finalizing preparations for possible military operations against Iran, though no formal orders have been issued. The command posted an image of an A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft at a Middle Eastern military base, though the base's location and mission were not disclosed.

Trump spoke with Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani about regional tensions on Friday. They discussed Qatar's mediation efforts to end the crisis and achieve security and stability in the region. Sheikh Tamim stressed the importance of diplomatic dialogue and non-escalation to preserve freedom of maritime navigation and energy supplies.

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi warned Trump that Iraqi territory must not be used to launch attacks against neighboring countries. Iraq affirmed its stance on respecting state sovereignty and non-use of its territories for aggression.