'Everything knocked out': Trump on Iran strikes, says he 'might have forced Israel's hand'

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday addressed the ongoing escalations in Iran after a joint op with Israel that killed their Supreme Leader Khamenei. Trump claimed that "everything has been knocked out" and that he "might have forced Israel's hand" as he believed that Iran "would have attacked first" otherwise.

"Just about everything's been knocked out," Trump told reporters, talking about Iran's prevailing situation as he met German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.




Referring to “Operation Epic Fury,” he claimed Iran had lost its air defences and warned that the country was “going to be in for a lot of hurt,” describing its leadership as “bad people.”

The joint strikes, which killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, were necessary, Trump argued, because Tehran was preparing to strike. “I think they were going to attack first, and I didn't want that to happen. So, if anything, I might have forced Israel's hand,” he said.

He further justified the action by asserting that Iran’s leadership would have used a nuclear weapon if it had obtained one, calling its ideology “very evil” and labelling the country a “purveyor of terror.” “Something had to be done. It's been 47 years. They've been killing people all over the world for a long time," Trump added.

Trump also criticised parts of Europe over their response. Taking jabs at other nations, Trump said, ""Some of the European nations have been helpful, and some haven't—and I'm very surprised. Germany's been great... Spain has been terrible. In fact, I told Scott to cut off all dealings with Spain," adding, he's "not happy with the UK either."