‘Obama will start Iran war for vote’: Trump’s 2011 claim resurfaces as he backs Israel; eyes US entry

As tensions flare between Israel and Iran, a 2011 post from US president Donald Trump has resurfaced, where he accused then-President Barack Obama of planning to start a war with Iran to win re-election.

“In order to get elected, @BarackObama will start a war with Iran,” Trump wrote in the 2011 post.


Between 2011 and 2012, Trump repeatedly alleged that Obama would start a war with Iran to improve his chances of re-election. A review by CNN’s KFile found Trump had made this claim in various interviews, tweets, and YouTube videos during that period.

In a November 2011 video on his channel, Trump said, “Our President will start a war with Iran because he has absolutely no ability to negotiate. He’s weak, and he’s ineffective.”

On Sean Hannity’s radio show in January 2012, Trump said, “I say that he starts a war in Iran before the election… lives will be wasted for no reason.”

He made similar remarks in later interviews with Fox News and radio host Laura Ingraham, insisting the war would be politically motivated.

Now, in 2025, Trump’s comments are being looked at in the context of renewed tensions between Iran and Israel.

While the US government has said it is not involved in Israel’s military strikes, Trump has repeatedly said he had warned Iran. He also said recently, “It’s possible we could get involved.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had also thanked Trump, signalling involvement. “You’ve been an extraordinary leader… You have done great things for Israel,” Netanyahu told Trump.