President Donald Trump claims the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites were crucial in enabling the Israel-Hamas peace deal, following the release of 20 Israeli hostages from Gaza. The strikes, part of Operation Midnight Hammer in June, are said by Trump to have eliminated Iran’s nuclear program, removing a key obstacle to negotiations.
During an exclusive interview with Fox News, Trump stated that the removal of Iran’s nuclear threat was vital for the peace process, as it alleviated fears that Iran might use its nuclear capability as a bargaining chip. He highlighted that the strikes significantly weakened Iran’s nuclear program, leaving it in a state of ‘nonexistence,’ according to his claims. Trump further noted that the cooperation of several Middle Eastern countries, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, and Egypt, was essential in brokering the deal.
Trump also emphasized that the peace deal is only the beginning of broader efforts to foster stability in the Middle East, which he believes will lead to a period of ‘golden age’ for the region. He added that Iran, despite its history, is now open to diplomacy and has shown willingness to engage, although he declined to specify with whom he has spoken. Trump reiterated that the United States will not allow Iran to regain its nuclear capabilities, suggesting that the strikes in June were a decisive action to prevent this.
The release of the hostages was part of a larger agreement intended to resolve the ongoing conflict that began with the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas, which resulted in the deaths of over 1,200 people and the capture of approximately 240 hostages. In exchange for the remaining hostages, Israel released around 2,000 Palestinian detainees, including roughly 250 identified as terrorists. Trump’s visit to Israel was coordinated with the prisoner exchange, and he has expressed hope that this deal will set the stage for lasting peace in the region.
Despite the apparent success of the strikes and the subsequent peace deal, some critics remain skeptical about the long-term effectiveness of these actions, particularly regarding Iran’s nuclear ambitions and the sustainability of the agreement between Israel and Hamas. Nonetheless, Trump’s statements underscore the significant role he believes his administration’s actions have played in achieving this milestone.