Operation Rising Lion: Did Donald Trump know in advance of Israel's strikes on Iran? What he said

US President Donald Trump told Fox News he had advance knowledge of Israel’s strikes on Iran and specified that Iran must never be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon."Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb, and we are hoping to get back to the negotiating table.

We will see," Trump said, according to the broadcaster.Israel launched what it called a "preemptive strike" late Thursday, hitting key nuclear and military facilities in Iran. Explosions were reported by Iranian state media, and air-raid sirens rang out across Israel as a precaution against potential retaliation.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the offensive in a video message, naming it Operation Rising Lion.

"Moments ago, Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, a targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat to Israel’s very survival," Netanyahu said.

The attack included strikes on major uranium enrichment facilities in Iran, further intensifying an already volatile situation.Despite Trump’s comments, US officials emphasised that the operation was carried out solely by Israel. "We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region," said US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

"Let me be clear: Iran should not target US interests or personnel."

Interestingly, just hours before the strikes began, President Trump had urged diplomacy. In a late-night post on his Truth Social account, he said, “We remain committed to a Diplomatic Resolution to the Iran Nuclear Issue! My entire Administration has been directed to negotiate with Iran. They could be a Great Country, but they first must completely give up hopes of obtaining a Nuclear Weapon.”