Former U.S. President Donald Trump issued a sharp rebuke to both Israel and Iran just hours after a ceasefire agreement was brokered between the two longtime adversaries. The truce, which came after days of escalating violence and global diplomatic pressure, was hailed as a temporary pause in a region teetering on the edge of a broader war. Yet Trump’s statement made clear he believes both sides share responsibility for the chaos.
Speaking at a rally in Florida and later on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump condemned the "reckless decisions" made by both governments. "Israel has the right to defend itself, absolutely. But it must also learn that unchecked aggression fuels more hate," Trump said. "Iran, on the other hand, continues to play with fire while threatening regional peace with its terror-backed policies."
The former president criticized the Biden administration as well, claiming it had been “asleep at the wheel” and allowed the conflict to spiral out of control. “This never would’ve happened under my watch,” Trump added, echoing his familiar line on foreign policy. He referenced the Abraham Accords as evidence of his administration’s success in calming Middle East tensions and called for a renewed push for regional diplomacy.
Trump’s remarks come at a sensitive time. The ceasefire, brokered with the help of the European Union and the United Nations, remains fragile. While both Israel and Iran agreed to halt military actions, skirmishes near the Lebanon border and rocket threats from pro-Iranian militias in Syria continue to threaten the agreement’s durability.
International reactions to Trump's statement were mixed. Some saw his blunt tone as a necessary warning, while others criticized it for inflaming tensions during a delicate peace process. In Israel, political analysts noted that Trump’s comments could widen rifts within the government, especially among far-right factions calling for continued retaliation against Iranian proxies.
In Tehran, Iranian officials dismissed Trump’s comments as “typical American arrogance,” while Iranian state media accused him of siding with Israel despite his critiques.
Despite the controversy, Trump doubled down. “If peace is ever going to be real in the Middle East,” he said, “then both sides need to realize that war is not victory—and America must stop enabling it.”
With U.S. elections approaching and Trump positioning himself as a potential 2024 contender, his foreign policy commentary is expected to grow louder. But as the guns fall silent—for now—his words remind the world that political rhetoric continues to shape the fragile lines between war and peace in the Middle East.