President Donald Trump claimed Tuesday that he, not Israel, drove the decision to launch strikes against Iran, contradicting earlier State Department messaging. During an Oval Office meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Trump stated Israel "did not pressure" the U.S. to attack. He claimed Iran's navy, air force, and radar technology had been "knocked out," and said he acted based on intelligence that Iran planned to attack first. Trump stated, "I might have forced Israel's hand." Yet his comments differ from those of Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who on Monday said Israel claimed Iran was planning an attack. Trump emphasized his role in the military decision, assuring that strong negotiating expertise informed the strike timing. He then characterized Iran's targeting of neutral Arab countries and civilians as evidence of "evil."
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