Trump Says Iran Would Have Struck Israel Without US Intervention

President Donald Trump said at a rally in Dalton, Georgia, on Friday that Iran was nearing a nuclear weapon and would have used it to strike regional countries if the United States had not intervened. He said Iran would 'blow up' Israel and the Middle East and had turned on countries that had been neutral. Breaking The News reported the remarks and said more details would follow.

Trump's Iran comments came during a day of public appearances and statements. Separately, he told reporters that Washington might reach a nuclear arms agreement with Russia and China, saying the U.S. would 'get a deal' without offering additional details. He also said he has a good relationship with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and knows details about recent comments on him that he would disclose at some point.

Also Friday, Trump said his administration was not involved in restricting the Starlink network for Ukraine. He said he did not know who ordered a slowdown of Starshield, the military version of the satellite communications system, and added, 'I don't think it was me, and I don't think it was Elon.' The Telegraph reported that SpaceX CEO Elon Musk approached Trump with a proposal to introduce speed limits on Starlink in Ukraine and that Trump agreed, according to sources cited by the outlet, paving the way for the Pentagon to slow Starshield.

Trump also commented on his press secretary, Katie Zacharia, saying the role might not be a good fit for her. He told reporters she had been treated badly by the media and that he had asked whether the job was right for her, suggesting she reconsider. He said he would let her make the decision.

The main report focused on Trump's Iran remarks and said more information would follow. The comments formed part of a series of foreign policy and staffing statements Trump made Friday before and during his trip to Georgia.