Rubio says Israeli strike plans led US into Iran war, Trump denies

Senator Marco Rubio said the United States launched a war with Iran because Israel was planning a strike that would have triggered a broader conflict. He argued the U.S. acted to preempt that scenario, framing it as a response to an 'imminent threat' from Iran.

President Donald Trump immediately contradicted Rubio's account, stating Israel did not 'drag' the U.S. into the war. Trump said he acted because he believed Iranian leaders, whom he called 'lunatics,' were going to attack first. The comments sparked criticism from Israel's critics and were seized on rhetorically by Iran's foreign minister.