President Donald Trump on Monday denied longstanding claims that the Israeli government had convinced him to launch the Iran war and that the decision was motivated by his own belief that Iran could not be permitted to obtain a nuclear weapon. 

Early in the war, Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that Israel had planned to launch attacks on Iran and that the U.S. entered the war because it expected Iran to target U.S. bases in retaliation either way.

"Israel never talked me into the war with Iran, the results of Oct. 7th, added to my lifelong opinion that IRAN CAN NEVER HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON, did," he posted on Truth Social. "I watch and read the FAKE NEWS Pundits and Polls in total disbelief. 90% of what they say are lies and made up stories, and the polls are rigged, much as the 2020 Presidential Election was rigged."

"Just like the results in Venezuela, which the media doesn’t like talking about, the results in Iran will be amazing - And if Iran’s new leaders (Regime Change!) are smart, Iran can have a great and prosperous future!" he added.

Public support for Israel has taken a nosedive since the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas raid that prompted the Israeli invasion of Gaza. Amid the ongoing Iran war, recent polling data has shown unfavorable views of the country rise  to as high as 60%.

Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent at Just the News. Follow him on X.