Trump Contradicts Rubio on Iran Conflict, Says U.S. Was Not Pushed by Israel

U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly contradicted his own Secretary of State, insisting that the United States was not pushed into a conflict with Iran by Israel.

Speaking on the issue, Trump said that if any action was taken against Iran, it was done under his direct authority. He rejected claims that Washington had been drawn into the situation by Israel, stating that he personally approved any step taken and “extended Israel’s hand” in response to Iranian threats.

Earlier, Secretary of State Marco Rubio had suggested a different narrative. Rubio said Israel was preparing to strike Iran and that there were concerns Tehran might retaliate by targeting U.S. troops in the region. According to Rubio, the United States acted first to prevent potential attacks on American forces.

The remarks sparked criticism from Democratic Congressman Joaquin Castro, who argued that Rubio’s comments amounted to an admission that the U.S. had been drawn into the conflict because of Israel’s actions.

Meanwhile, Iranian official Ali Larijani has maintained that Iran did not initiate hostilities. He stated that Iran, consistent with its position over the past three centuries, does not start wars and had no intention of doing so in this case.

The conflicting statements from U.S. leadership highlight apparent differences in messaging over the origins and justification of the confrontation, as international tensions continue to rise.