BRANDAN STEINHAUSER - Trump Israel

PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP ISSUED A BLUNT WARNING TO ISRAEL ON TUESDAY TO “NOT BOMB IRAN” AS HE DEPARTED FOR THE NATO SUMMIT IN THE HAGUE, TAKING A CRITICAL POSITION JUST 24 HOURS AFTER BROKERING A FRAGILE CEASEFIRE ALREADY THREATENED AFTER A MISSILE STRIKE FROM IRAN.

Speaking to reporters before takeoff, the president said that both Israel and Iran had breached the terms of the truce and made clear he was “not pleased” with Israel’s promise to launch retaliatory airstrikes after agreeing to the deal.  “Do not bomb Iran. If you bomb, it will be a serious violation of the ceasefire. Bring the pilots back home now,” he said in a message to Israel, according to Axios reporter Barak Ravid.  The comments come as the Israeli military vowed to carry out “intense” retaliatory strikes on Tehran following ballistic missile attacks from Iran that struck Beersheba on Tuesday morning, killing at least four civilians. In response, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz ordered a “forceful” counteroffensive, targeting what he described as “the heart of Tehran.” Israel’s top military officials framed the action as a response to a “grave violation” of the US-brokered ceasefire and vowed Iran would “pay.”

Political Strategist BRANDAN STEINHAUSER