Trump says he had ‘veto power’ over Israeli strikes under Biden, claims ‘they told him everything’
WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump said in an interview on Thursday, October 23, that Israel’s counterterror operations following Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attacks were conducted under his direct approval.
Speaking to Time magazine, Trump said he had “veto power” over several Israeli strikes targeting Hezbollah and other militant groups in the region.
Trump says Israel’s counterterror strikes had his direct approval
“All of those attacks were done in auspices with, actually, with me directly. You know, with Israel doing the attacks, with the pagers and all that stuff,” Trump told the outlet, referencing the September 2024 Israeli intelligence operation that obliterated Hezbollah’s infrastructure using explosive beepers.
The president emphasized his close coordination with Israel, claiming that Benjamin Netanyahu government consistently sought his approval before major strikes. “Look, Israel’s been very respectful of this country,” Trump said. “And they let me know everything. And sometimes I’d say no, and they’d be respectful of that.”
Trump slams Obama and Biden over Iran policy
During the interview, President Donald Trump criticized former President Barack Obama for his handling of Israel and the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, calling it “a horrible deal.” He also took aim at the Biden administration, expressing surprise that Iran had not succeeded in developing a nuclear weapon during President Joe Biden’s tenure.
“I was sure that when I left, I was sure that they would be able to,” Trump said. “It’s sort of funny, when Democrats say, ‘Oh, we should get a little credit.’ No, they shouldn’t. They went with Iran. We had to get that stench off.”
Trump said that if the Biden administration’s approach had continued, Iran would have become a fully nuclear-armed state. “You’d have a nuclear-weaponized, at the highest level, nuclear Iran. And there’d be no talking to them,” he added.
Trump credits Iran strikes for Gaza cease-fire
In June 2025, US jets carried out precision strikes on three major Iranian nuclear facilities, which experts say pushed Tehran’s weapons program back several monthspo, ssibly years.
Trump credited those attacks as pivotal in setting the stage for the eventual cease-fire between Israel and Hamas. “The more I thought about it, the more I realized that that attack and bringing down Iran made it possible to get it done,” Trump said. “Without that, you couldn’t have done this.”
He explained that the strike shifted regional power dynamics. “The Arab countries wouldn’t have done it. But even if they did, it wouldn’t be worth anything because they’d have that cloud of a nuclear weapon dropping on their head,” he said.
Cease-fire and rebuilding Gaza
On October 10, 2025, Israel and Hamas formally agreed to suspend hostilities, with Hamas releasing its final 20 Israeli hostages.
Although minor skirmishes have continued, President Donald Trump’s administration is now focused on advancing a long-term reconstruction plan for Gaza and facilitating the establishment of a transitional government.
