Fact Check: Did Trump speak with a former US president about the Iran strikes?

Trump claimed that a certain former president regretted not striking Iran when they had the chance

PUBLISHED 1 HOUR AGO

President Donald Trump speaks during a board meeting of the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center For The Performing Arts in the East Room of the White House, Monday, March 16, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

WASHINGTON, DC: As the conflict in the Middle East continues to escalate, President Donald Trump has claimed that he has spoken to several former presidents about bombing Iran, which led to the death of the Islamic Republic’s supreme leader and severely injuring his son. Let us analyse the authenticity of the claim and fact-check it.

Claim: Donald Trump claims a former president regretted not striking Iran

During a meeting of the Kennedy Center board on Monday, Trump claimed that a certain former president regretted not striking Iran when they had the chance.

“Look, for 47 years, no president was willing to do what I’m doing,” Trump said. “And they should have done it a long time ago. It would have been a lot easier. There’s no president that wanted to do it. And yet every president knew.”

Trump continued, “I’ve spoken to a certain president, who I like, actually — a past president — former president. He said, ‘I wish I did it. I wish I did.’ But they didn’t do it. I’m doing it.”

When asked, “Which president?” Trump answered, “I can’t tell you that. It would be very bad for his career, even though he’s got no career left.”

Fact Check: All living former presidents denied speaking about Iran

Former US Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton attend the trophy presentation prior to Thursday foursome matches of the Presidents Cup at Liberty National Golf Club on September 28, 2017 in Jersey City , New Jersey. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) — Former Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton attend the trophy presentation before Thursday's foursome matches of the Presidents Cup at Liberty National Golf Club on September 28, 2017, in Jersey City , New Jersey (Rob Carr/Getty Images)

However, all four living former presidents denied having spoken with Trump about Iran in statements from aides to CNN and other outlets.

When reporters pressed the president on who it was, Trump hinted that it was Bill Clinton, but Clinton’s spokesman told HuffPost that it was not him.

According to CNN, aides to Clinton, Bush, and the other two former Democratic presidents still living, Barack Obama and Joe Biden, all denied that their bosses had spoken with Trump about Iran.

Donald Trump warns NATO over Hormuz Strait blockade

US President Donald Trump speaks during a news conference following the 2025 NATO Summit on June 25, 2025 in The Hague, Netherlands. Among other matters, members are to approve a new defense investment plan that raises the target for defense spending to 5% of GDP. (Photo by Omar Havana/Getty Images) — President Donald Trump speaks during a news conference following the 2025 NATO Summit on June 25, 2025, in The Hague, Netherlands. Among other matters, members are to approve a new defense investment plan that raises the target for defense spending to 5% of GDP (Omar Havana/Getty Images)

Trump’s remark came as he cautioned that NATO could face a 'very bad future' if allied nations fail to send warships to challenge Iran’s blockade near the vital Strait of Hormuz.

The narrow waterway is one of the world’s most critical energy corridors, carrying a large share of global oil supplies.

With oil prices already climbing, Trump also called on China to play a role in easing the crisis and hinted he could delay talks with Xi Jinping as the situation unfolds.

As the conflict enters its third week, global markets and security alliances are on edge over the future of energy routes and the broader geopolitical fallout.