Former US President and current Republican candidate Donald Trump said Sunday Iran is in great danger as Israel prepares for a retaliatory attack in response to Tehran's October 1 missile barrage.
"Iran is now probably in danger, maybe more so than they'd have thought a month ago, with what's happening," Trump said in an interview with Al-Arabiya. "It's in a lot of danger right now, which is very bad. I don't want to see people killed."
The comments come as Israel's security cabinet is meeting on Sunday night in Tel Aviv to deal with Israel’s response to Iran, The Times of Israel reported citing an Israeli official.
The meeting is being held one day after two US intelligence documents on Israel's preparations for a possible attack on Iran were leaked on the pro-Iran Telegram channel Middle East Spectator.
Another development that could possibly change Israel's attack plans was a Hezbollah drone strike against the residence of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which reportedly prompted calls in Israel for an even stronger response to Tehran.
Israel's Channel 11 cited an Israeli official as saying that the country is preparing for a "very significant" attack on Iran. "Israel already understands that Iran cannot refrain from responding to this attack, so there are special preparations in this regard."
Last week, the United States authorized the deployment of a Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery and personnel to Israel, reaffirming its strong commitment to Israel's defense and the protection of US citizens in Israel from further missile threats. The THAAD system, which complements Israel's existing Patriot missile defenses, can intercept threats at ranges of up to 124 miles.
Three THAAD systems are now operational in Israel, Al-Arabiya reported Sunday, citing unnamed sources.
Iran warns Israel
On Sunday night, IRGC-affiliated Tasnim News cited a military source as saying that a potential Israeli attack on Iran's nuclear sites will not only trigger Iran's response but will also convince the country to "consider nuclear policies."
The military source said if the attack only targets Iran's military positions, Tehran's response will be both "certain" and "beyond the Zionists' estimates."
The source added: "And if the potential action affects facilities and infrastructure in any way, Iran is certainly not committed to maintaining the previous scope, type, or intensity of its response."
"This is a clear message to the Zionists, and they will definitely understand its meaning! Iran neither hesitates nor rushes, but it does not shelve the 'punishment' of madmen in a way that will surprise them more each time," the report added citing the military source.
On Friday, US President Joe Biden said he has insight into "how and when Israel is going to respond to the missile attacks by Iran," though he refrained from providing further details.
This prompted Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to warn that anyone aware of the timing and manner of an Israeli attack on Iran must be held accountable.
In his Sunday interview with Al-Arabiya, Trump criticized Biden's handling of US-Israel relations, particularly regarding Netanyahu. He said that Biden had initially given Netanyahu instructions to hold back on military action, leaving Israel vulnerable. However, Trump now believes Israel faces less danger.
"Netanyahu is going to do what he wants to do [against Iran], and I think he has to do that. Israel was under great danger. They're under much less danger right now than they were one month ago, let's face it," he remarked.
Commenting on Israel's military response to recent tensions, Trump defended the country’s actions, stating, "You can't blame Israel for hitting back hard, much harder than anyone would have thought. Now everyone's waiting for Israel to make a move" in response to Iran's missile attack.
Tensions between Israel and Iran have escalated sharply since October 1, when Iran launched 181 ballistic missiles at Israel in retaliation for Israel's assassination of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and Hezbollah's leader Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut.
