WASHINGTON DC, USA — Former U.S. President Donald Trump has asserted that Iran’s recent missile attacks on Israel would not have occurred had he still been in office, claiming his administration kept the Middle East, Europe, and the world at large stable.
Trump made these remarks on his social media platform, Truth Social, following Iran’s launch of approximately 180 missiles at Israel in response to Israeli military operations in Lebanon and Syria.
“Look at the missiles flying right now in the Middle East, look at what’s happening with Russia/Ukraine, look at inflation destroying the world,” Trump wrote. “None of this happened while I was president!”
Trump emphasised that Iran was under “total check” during his time in office, and his policies prevented wars in the Middle East, Europe, and Asia, while maintaining economic stability.
Iran’s Response to Israeli Operations
Iranian state media claimed that 80% of the missiles fired had successfully hit their intended targets.
The Iranian mission to the United Nations reiterated the country’s stance on the attacks via its X (formerly Twitter) account, stating, “Iran’s legal, rational, and legitimate response to the terrorist acts of the Zionist regime—which involved targeting Iranian nationals and interests and infringing upon the national sovereignty of the Islamic Republic of Iran—has been duly carried out.”
Iran’s legal, rational, and legitimate response to the terrorist acts of the Zionist regime—which involved targeting Iranian nationals and interests and infringing upon the national sovereignty of the Islamic Republic of Iran—has been duly carried out. Should the Zionist regime…
— I.R.IRAN Mission to UN, NY (@Iran_UN) October 1, 2024
The message further warned that any retaliatory actions by Israel would be met with a “subsequent and crushing response” and advised regional states and Israel’s supporters to distance themselves from the Zionist regime.
Israel Vows Retaliation as Iran Launches 180 Missiles in Major Escalation
Israel has vowed swift retaliation after Iran launched a barrage of ballistic missiles across Israeli territory, marking a dangerous escalation in the region’s ongoing conflict.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised a decisive response to the attack in an emergency meeting with his security cabinet late Tuesday, October 1, 2024.
“Iran made a big mistake tonight—and it will pay for it,” Netanyahu said. “The regime in Iran does not understand our determination to defend ourselves and our determination to retaliate against our enemies … They will understand.”
The Iranian missile attack, unprecedented in scale, consisted of more than 180 ballistic missiles aimed at Israel’s key coastal cities.
According to Israeli officials, most of the missiles were intercepted by Israel’s advanced air defense systems, but some struck areas near Tel Aviv and central Israel.
Air raid sirens blared across the country as citizens took cover in shelters.
Israeli and Global Reactions
Netanyahu’s government described the Iranian missile barrage as a “serious attack” and vowed to respond with military force.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have already launched retaliatory strikes on Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon and on Iranian-backed militias in Syria and Yemen.
“We are on high alert both defensively and offensively,” said IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari in a broadcast. “This attack will have consequences. We have plans, and we will operate at the place and time we decide.”
The U.S., a close ally of Israel, condemned the Iranian missile strike. U.S. Navy destroyers stationed in the eastern Mediterranean intercepted several missiles fired toward Israel, defense officials reported.
In a statement, the White House warned of “severe consequences” for Iran if the conflict continues to escalate.
“This must stop,” urged U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres, calling for an immediate ceasefire.
French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the Iranian attack and called on Israel to cease its military operations in Lebanon.
