U.S. President Donald Trump has definitively ruled out pressuring Israel into a cease-fire amid its escalating military conflict with Iran, insisting that the U.S. supports Israel’s right to self-defense and will not “interfere” with its military objectives.

Speaking at a White House press conference Friday afternoon, President Trump stated,

“Israel has the right to defend itself. We’re open to talking with Iran, but we’re not going to tell Israel to stand down.”

The comments came as Israeli forces expanded strikes on Iranian targets across the region, including in Syria and southern Lebanon, and as Iran continued launching missile attacks into Israeli territory.

Trump: Iran Prefers ‘Talking to Me’

Trump also claimed that Iran would prefer direct negotiations with the United States and expressed confidence in his ability to “bring them to the table,” even as conflict escalates.

“They know we’re strong. And they know talking to me is better than fighting with Israel,” he said. “There’s a deal to be made but not if they keep this up.”

His administration has yet to outline a formal diplomatic strategy for de-escalation.

Dismisses U.S. Intelligence Reports

In one of the more controversial moments of the briefing, President Trump dismissed assessments from U.S. intelligence agencies suggesting that Iran is not currently seeking to develop a nuclear weapon.

“I don’t buy it. Iran has always wanted nukes,” Trump said. “Just because they’re not building one today doesn’t mean they won’t tomorrow.”

His comments contradict multiple recent U.S. intelligence briefings, including the Office of the Director of National Intelligence’s (ODNI) May 2025 report, which stated that Iran had not restarted weaponization efforts since the collapse of the 2015 nuclear deal.

Reaction from U.S. Intelligence and Allies

A senior U.S. intelligence official, speaking anonymously, said Trump’s remarks were “inconsistent with verified assessments” and could “undermine diplomatic leverage” at a critical time.

International allies also reacted cautiously. European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell warned that “reckless public statements” could sabotage behind-the-scenes diplomatic efforts aimed at containing the crisis.

Germany and France have called for immediate de-escalation, while Russia has proposed a regional peace summit involving Iran, Israel, and Gulf nations.

Trump’s Position Could Shape the Conflict

Trump’s remarks solidify a shift away from the more balanced diplomatic posture of previous administrations, making it clear that U.S. policy is firmly aligned with Israel’s military objectives in this phase of the conflict.

Analysts suggest this could further embolden Israel’s military operations while closing the window for short-term diplomacy.

“This is a green light for Israel to press forward militarily,” said Dr. Lena Rothman, a foreign policy fellow at Brookings. “Whether or not that’s wise will depend on how Iran and its proxies respond.”

Background: The Current Israel–Iran Crisis

• The conflict escalated last week when Israel launched airstrikes on suspected nuclear facilities inside Iran, following a wave of Iranian missile attacks on Israeli cities.

• Over 50 Israeli civilians and dozens of Iranian-backed militia fighters have been killed since hostilities began.

• The IDF confirmed today the assassination of a senior Hezbollah commander in southern Lebanon.

• Meanwhile, over 20 cargo planes from the U.S. and Germany have delivered military equipment to Israel to bolster its operational readiness.