President Donald Trump on Tuesday defended the ongoing joint US-Israeli military strikes against Iran, pushing back against suggestions that Israel forced the United States into military action. Speaking to reporters, Trump denied claims that he had been pressured by Israel to launch the attacks.

Instead, Trump suggested he may have influenced Israel's decision to strike Iran, stating he "might have forced Israel's hand" in the military action. The president justified the strikes by claiming that Iran's leadership was planning to attack first, citing what he described as progress in nuclear program negotiations that suggested Iranian aggression was imminent.

The strikes, now in their fourth day, have prompted retaliatory missile and drone attacks from Iran targeting both Israel and Gulf states that host US military bases. Trump claimed that Iran's air defense systems had been significantly degraded by the coordinated attacks.

The military action has generated criticism from both opponents and allies in Congress, with questions raised about the use of war powers without congressional approval. Some of Trump's own supporters have expressed concern about the level of US involvement in the conflict.

The strikes have created a broader regional crisis, with US nationals being urged to evacuate the Middle East as fighting continues across the region. Some Americans in affected areas have reported difficulties finding transportation home and have criticized the US government for insufficient evacuation assistance.

Trump's comments appeared aimed at countering what sources described as a growing anti-Israel sentiment among some members of Congress and within his political base, as critics questioned whether the administration had been drawn into conflict by Israeli actions rather than making an independent decision based on US interests.