Former US President Donald Trump has cautioned about a potential “massive conflict” in the Middle East arising from the ongoing tensions surrounding Iran's nuclear program. This warning comes amid escalating concerns about a possible Israeli strike against Iranian nuclear facilities.
Rising Tensions and IAEA Rebuke
Trump highlighted his worries that an Israeli strike could derail the already strained negotiations concerning Iran's nuclear capabilities. He also confirmed that he had instructed the evacuation of some US personnel from the Middle East as a precautionary measure against potential Iranian retaliation, which could involve missile strikes.
These concerns are fueled by Iran's recent announcement that it will intensify its nuclear activities following a resolution passed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The IAEA resolution criticizes Iran for failing to comply with its non-proliferation commitments, marking the strongest rebuke issued by the agency in 20 years.
Imminent Threat?
When questioned about the possibility of a strike, Trump stated that it “could very well happen,” adding, “I don’t want to say imminent, but it’s something that could very well happen.”
US Response and Preparedness
US embassies in the Middle East have conducted emergency action assessments, and the US is actively monitoring the threat environment in the region. Trump explained his decision to order the evacuation of some personnel, stating, “We have a lot of American people in this area, and I said, look, we gotta tell them to get out cause something could happen – soon... I don’t want to be the one that didn’t give any warning and missiles are flying into their buildings. It’s possible. So I had to do it.”
The situation remains highly volatile, with the potential for rapid escalation. The international community is closely watching developments as efforts to resolve the Iranian nuclear issue continue.