Steve Bannon, former chief strategist for Donald Trump, warned on Friday that Israel is trying to draw the United States into a direct military conflict with Iran following a wave of missile strikes and retaliatory attacks.
On his podcast War Room, Bannon accused Israeli leaders of wanting more than defense support from the U.S., stating, “They want us to go on offense.”
Israeli airstrikes spark Middle East escalation
On June 13, Israeli jets launched strikes targeting Iranian nuclear sites, high-ranking officials, and key scientific personnel. The Israeli government justified the attack, citing fears Tehran was fast-tracking nuclear weapons development—an accusation Iran has repeatedly denied.
- Iran says its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.
- Israeli intelligence claims Iran could build up to 15 nuclear warheads within days.
U.S. divided as tensions rise
Former President Trump told reporters he was briefed on the Israeli operation in advance, a revelation that has split conservative leaders.
- Some praised Israel’s proactive stance.
- Others, like Bannon, warned of entangling the U.S. in another Middle Eastern war.
Tucker Carlson also weighed in, calling out unnamed conservative figures allegedly urging Trump to greenlight U.S. airstrikes in support of Israel.
Bannon: ‘Go alone or don’t go at all’
Bannon criticized what he called Israel’s expectation of American intervention, saying:
“They go it alone, and last about six hours. Not only do they want defense, they want us to go on offense.”
He added that Americans in Israel should either evacuate or accept the risks, arguing this dynamic is how the U.S. gets “sucked in” to foreign wars.
Iranian response and global fallout
After the Israeli strikes, Iran launched missiles at major Israeli cities, including Tel Aviv. Most were intercepted, but at least three fatalities were confirmed.
- Israeli military: 3 civilians killed in Tel Aviv.
- Iran’s UN ambassador: 78 dead in Israeli strikes on Iran.
An anonymous U.S. defense official confirmed American forces helped intercept some of the incoming Iranian missiles but did not participate in any offensive actions.
Analysts and lawmakers react
Defense expert Shashank Joshi noted that Iran’s reliance on proxy militias has weakened, making it more vulnerable. Senator Lindsey Graham applauded Trump’s push for diplomacy but urged full military backing for Israel if talks fail.
What happens next?
Whether the U.S. will escalate its involvement remains unclear. Analysts predict significant political fallout if American forces join Israel’s offensive, particularly among conservatives promoting an “America First” foreign policy.
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