In Retaliation for Iran's Attack... Trump Says "On the Brink of World War III Because of Harris"

Former U.S. President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump on the 1st (local time) blamed Democratic candidate Vice President Kamala Harris for Iran's retaliatory attacks targeting Israel. He claimed that Iran and Russia are hoping for Harris's victory in the upcoming November presidential election, saying, "If she serves four more years, the world will burn to ashes."

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

At a rally held in Waunakee, Wisconsin, Trump referred to Iran's missile attacks against Israel, stating, "The two incompetent people (President Joe Biden and Vice President Harris) are leading our country and pushing us to the brink of World War III."

He attributed the escalating crisis of Middle East expansion to the foreign policies of President Biden and Vice President Harris, raising his voice that "our enemies no longer respect our country." Furthermore, he claimed that if he had been president, Russia's invasion of Ukraine and Hamas's terror attacks on Israel would not have occurred.

Originally, the rally was expected to focus on the economy and manufacturing. However, after Iran launched missile attacks toward Israel, most of Trump's remarks centered on the threat that the Middle East crisis could lead to World War III and that the Biden administration is responsible. These Republican claims are also expected to be echoed during the vice-presidential TV debate scheduled that night in New York between Senator JD Vance (Republican candidate) and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (Democratic candidate).

Trump said that Iran and Russia want Vice President Harris to win the U.S. presidential election, stating, "They know that as long as she remains in power, they can exploit the United States more than ever before." He added that if Harris is elected, the world will burn to ashes, emphasizing, "If I win, we will restore peace to the world."

Earlier, Trump also stated on the social media platform Truth Social that "If I had been president, (this situation) would not have happened," and "This war was completely preventable." He claimed, "When I was president, Iran was fully contained. They had no cash and were completely blockaded, desperate to negotiate," adding, "Kamala poured American money into them, and since then, they have exported chaos worldwide and plunged the Middle East into turmoil."

Meanwhile, Vice President Harris strongly condemned Iran's attack on Israel that day. At a brief press conference held at the Josephine Butler Parks Center in Washington, D.C., she said, "I unequivocally condemn this attack," adding, "Iran is a destabilizing and dangerous force in the Middle East. Today's attack on Israel makes this even clearer." She continued, "My commitment to Israel's security is unwavering," and said, "We will continue to work with our allies and partners to counter Iran's aggressive actions and hold Iran accountable."