Trump states that Israel should target Iran's nuclear facilities.

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump stated on Friday that he believes Israel should target Iran's nuclear facilities in light of the recent missile attacks from the Islamic Republic. During a campaign event in Fayetteville, North Carolina, Trump referenced a question directed at Democratic President Joe Biden earlier in the week about whether Israel should strike Iran's nuclear program. "They asked him if he would support hitting Iran, and he replied, 'As long as they don't hit the nuclear stuff.' But that's exactly what you want to target, right?" Trump remarked.

Biden, when asked on Wednesday about potential strikes against Iranian nuclear sites, responded with a definitive, "The answer is no." In response to a question from an attendee regarding the issue, Trump criticized Biden's stance, saying, "I think he’s got that one wrong. Isn’t that what you’re supposed to hit? It’s the biggest risk we have—nuclear weapons." 

He continued, "When they asked him that question, the answer should have been to hit the nuclear facilities first and deal with the rest later." Trump added, "If they're going to do it, they're going to do it. But we'll find out what their plans are." 

Biden, on Wednesday, expressed his disapproval of military strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities following nearly 200 Iranian missiles fired toward Israel. He mentioned, "We’ll be discussing with the Israelis what they’re going to do," noting that all G7 nations agree that Israel has "the right to respond, but they should respond proportionately."

As Trump competes fiercely against Democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harris in the presidential race, he has not commented extensively on the recent tensions in the Middle East but did release a strong statement this week blaming Biden and Harris for the ongoing crisis.