Washington/Florida — U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed that several neighboring Arab countries have moved closer to the United States following what he described as Iran’s “foolish and reckless strategy” of launching attacks across the region.
Speaking at a press conference in Florida on Monday, Trump said Iran made a serious mistake by targeting countries that had previously tried to remain neutral in the conflict.
“I would call Iran’s strategy of attacking neighboring countries extremely foolish,” Trump said. “Many of Iran’s neighbors were largely neutral and had no interest in becoming involved in this war.”
According to the U.S. president, the situation has now changed because those countries have repeatedly come under attack.
“As a result, Iran’s neighbors have come to our side, and they have already started responding. Those responses are proving successful,” he added.
Trump specifically mentioned several Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and Qatar, saying they were strong and capable nations that had nevertheless been targeted in the escalating conflict.
The tensions come after weeks of unsuccessful negotiations between Iran and the United States over Tehran’s nuclear program. The talks, which lasted from February 6 to February 27, ended without any agreement.
Just a day later, on February 28, the United States launched a military campaign dubbed Operation Epic Fury against Iranian targets. At the same time, Israel initiated its own military operation, Operation Roaring Lion, targeting facilities inside Iran.
In response, Iran has reportedly carried out multiple drone and missile strikes on U.S. military bases located in Gulf countries, including Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, as well as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.
The escalating attacks have raised fears of a wider regional war across the Middle East.
