The Voice News: U.S. President Donald Trump, a close ally of Israel, has spoken out regarding Friday’s Israeli strikes in Iran. In an interview with Reuters, Trump said he was aware of the operation beforehand.“We knew everything,” Trump stated. “I wanted to save Iran from disgrace and destruction. I tried hard—because I wanted a deal to happen.”Trump believes there is still time for diplomacy. “It’s not too late yet,” he said.He revealed that he had asked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to delay the attack. Trump said he had hoped to resolve the crisis over Iran’s nuclear program through diplomacy. However, he also admitted to having threatened Iran with military action if talks failed.When asked whether the U.S. would stand by Israel, Trump said he supports Israel but did not comment on whether the strike might escalate into a wider regional war.Trump called the Israeli attack “excellent” and “highly successful,” saying it was part of his strategic approach—speaking boldly in public while negotiating behind the scenes.He backed Israel’s military action to halt Iran’s nuclear ambitions, even as some U.S. allies called for restraint.Trump reiterated the strength of U.S.-Israel relations:“We are very close to Israel. We are their biggest ally,” he said. “Let’s see what happens.”Meanwhile, two U.S. officials confirmed that American forces helped Israel intercept Iranian missiles headed toward Israeli territory.Israel has named the operation “Operation Rising Lion.” Prime Minister Netanyahu said it was launched to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, which Israel views as a major threat. The campaign, he said, would continue as long as that threat remains.The assault began around 3:30 AM local time on Thursday night. Iranian media reported hearing explosions across several residential neighborhoods in Tehran, especially in the northeastern part of the city. Israel also targeted the Natanz nuclear facility, located 225 kilometers from Tehran. Israel claims to have destroyed dozens of Iranian radars and air defense systems.Brigadier General Effin Defrin, a spokesperson for the Israeli military, said about 200 Israeli fighter jets took part in the operation, striking over a hundred targets across eight cities.According to Iran’s Nournews, 78 people were killed and 329 injured in the Israeli airstrikes on residential areas in Tehran. Among the dead were six nuclear scientists.Even on Friday evening, Israeli forces struck parts of northwestern Iran, including the city of Tabriz. Iran’s Fars News Agency reported explosions near the Fordow nuclear facility. Later, Iranian state media claimed that two Israeli warplanes were shot down.
