Trump's Offensive to Iran: If We Don't Attack, They Will Have Nuclear Weapons

The Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group (CVN-78) is preparing to support Operation Epic Fury in Iran. (Twitter/@CENTCOM)

JAKARTA - President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that an attack by American and Israeli forces on Iran was necessary to prevent Tehran from developing nuclear weapons, claiming that if Washington did not act first, Iran could attack Israel.

"If we don't strike within two weeks, they will have nuclear weapons," President Trump said in a speech at an event at the White House, quoted by Anadolu (5/3).

"And when crazy people have nuclear weapons, bad things happen," he added.

Furthermore, President Trump emphasized that the US acted before Iran could target Israel.

"I think if we don't do it first, they will do it against Israel and give us a chance, if that's possible," he said.

He also reiterated his claim that the US attack on Iran last June had greatly reduced Iran's nuclear capabilities.

"That is the total destruction of their nuclear potential, and it is very, very damaging to them," he claimed.

"Their leadership is collapsing fast. Everyone who seems to want to be a leader, ends up dead," Trump added.

Regional tensions have escalated since the US and Israel launched a massive attack on Iran on Saturday, killing more than 900 people, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and senior military officials.

Iran has retaliated with drone and missile attacks targeting Israel as well as Gulf states that host US military assets.