Donald Trump tells the BBC Israel did not defy him

In a striking revelation, former U.S. President Donald Trump claims Israel did not defy him when it launched strikes on Iran, asserting that the attacks had already occurred before he could intervene. Speaking directly to BBC North America editor Sarah Smith, Trump dismissed the idea of defiance, citing that the missile launches were completed prior to their phone call—a claim that aligns with Israel’s own timeline and suggests a coordinated narrative between the two leaders. This moment underscores Trump’s urgent need to project authority on the world stage, especially amid declining approval ratings and growing Republican unease over America’s foreign policy being shaped by Israel. Meanwhile, the broader Middle East remains volatile: Israel continues its campaign in southern Lebanon, killing over 3,600 people, while Iran vows retaliation. The conflict’s ripple effects are reshaping regional diplomacy, with Trump’s push for peace talks now entangled in a complex web of strategic posturing. Elsewhere, OpenAI’s move toward a $1 trillion IPO signals a high-stakes bet on AI’s future, echoing the early days of the internet. In Sudan, children return to school after four years of war, but many carry deep psychological scars. In a separate controversy, Somalian referee Omar Artan was denied entry to the U.S. for the World Cup—despite valid documents—sparking global outrage over visa policies.