Trump on Iran: Israel was the first - but certainly not the last

US President Donald Trump claims that Iran was two to three weeks away from obtaining a nuclear weapon before the Israeli strike, and warns that it would have used it against Israel, the US, and Europe. Trump said Israel was the first target, but not the last, and that the price paid was small. His remarks come amid Pentagon preparations to resume hostilities in Iran.

US President Donald Trump addressed the war with Iran today (Friday), claiming that Iran was very close to a bomb before the Israeli strike. According to him, "If we hadn't attacked them early with B-2 bombers, they would have been two, maybe three weeks away from obtaining a nuclear weapon." Trump added that Iran would have used the weapon quickly: "They would have blown up the Middle East." He detailed that Israel was the first target for total destruction, followed by US cities like San Diego and Los Angeles, and finally Europe. Trump concluded: "Now we don't have to worry about that. They won't have a nuclear weapon. In fact, it's a very small price to pay." His remarks come amid reports that the Pentagon has instructed CENTCOM to complete preparations for resuming significant hostilities in Iran, though no final decision has been made. Yesterday, Trump said Iran is in a bad economic and military state, and that he will not attack it before the US midterm elections on November 3.