Key Takeaways:
- Influential conservatives, including Rupert Murdoch, push Trump to allow Israel to attack Iran.
- Trump remains skeptical of their plan and favors diplomacy.
- Mark Levin claims Iran is close to building a nuclear weapon, which U.S. intelligence disputes.
- Murdoch’s media outlets criticize Trump’s envoy for Iran talks.
- Allies believe Trump will resist the pressure and is annoyed by the lobbying.
Conservative Leaders Push Trump on Iran Some well-known conservative figures, possibly including media giant Rupert Murdoch, are quietly urging President Donald Trump to let Israel attack Iran. Trump, however, seems unwilling to go along with this plan. These efforts have led to tension within Trump’s administration, with his allies pushing back to keep the focus on reaching a nuclear deal with Iran.
Mark Levin’s Warning to Trump During a private lunch at the White House, conservative talk show host Mark Levin told Trump that Iran is just days away from building a nuclear weapon. However, Trump’s intelligence team has said this claim is not accurate. Levin, who also hosts a Fox News program that Trump often promotes, urged the president to allow Israel to strike Iranian nuclear sites.
Trump reportedly told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that such an attack would ruin the ongoing diplomatic efforts. Levin has also been criticizing Steve Witkoff, Trump’s envoy leading the nuclear talks, on his radio show.
Murdoch’s Media Campaign Rupert Murdoch’s newspapers, especially the New York Post, have accused Witkoff of working for Qatar. This is part of a larger effort to discredit the diplomat and undermine the negotiations with Iran. A source revealed that Murdoch has privately criticized Witkoff’s diplomatic work.
The Other Side: Caution Against War Not everyone agrees with Levin and Murdoch. Tucker Carlson, a former Fox News host, accuses Levin of trying to push the U.S. into another Middle East war. Carlson tweeted that there’s no evidence Iran is close to building a nuclear bomb. He believes Levin’s real goal is regime change, which would mean sending young Americans to fight in another conflict.
Allies Defend Trump’s Diplomatic Approach Trump’s allies believe he will resist the pressure from Levin and Murdoch. They argue that Trump’s campaign promise to avoid foreign wars aligns with his desire to negotiate with Iran. The president has shown he’s willing to listen but won’t be swayed by constant pushing.
A senior administration official said, “They’re trying to push the president to make a decision that’s not what he wants. There’s clearly a lobby for war with Iran, but the president knows he’s the one who brought them to the negotiating table.”
Trump’s Position on Iran Talks Trump recently expressed doubt about reaching a deal with Iran, saying Tehran is asking for more than he’s willing to give. However, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized that Trump is “the ultimate decision maker” and will do what he thinks is best.
Leavitt added, “With respect to Iran, President Trump has made his opinion clear: he wants to pursue diplomacy and make a deal. But if Iran makes a deal impossible, President Trump has other options on the table.”
The Bigger Picture This debate reflects a deeper divide within the Republican Party. On one side are those who want a more aggressive approach to Iran, and on the other are those who support Trump’s focus on diplomacy.
Conservatives like Levin and Murdoch believe Iran poses a major threat and that military action is necessary. But Trump’s allies argue that negotiations are the best way to prevent a dangerous conflict.
Conclusion For now, it seems Trump is holding his ground. He’s committed to diplomacy, but he’s also keeping his options open. The pressure from figures like Levin and Murdoch won’t fade, but Trump’s allies are confident he’ll make the decision he thinks is right.
As the situation unfolds, one thing is clear: the stakes are high, and the decisions made now could shape the future of the Middle East for years to come.