Trump Blames Witkoff, Jared Kushner and Pete Hegseth for Iran Strike Decision

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has publicly attributed responsibility for the decision to strike Iran to his special envoy Steve Witkoff, son-in-law Jared Kushner, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Trump made the disclosure during a press conference held in Florida.
Trump stated that the situation regarding Iran had moved rapidly to a point of no return. He said that conversations held by Witkoff, Kushner, and Hegseth with Iranian officials gave him the strong impression that Iran was actively preparing to launch an attack against the United States.
Trump stated clearly: “If we had not struck Iran, Iran would have struck us.” He further claimed: “I was 100% certain that Iran would attack within a week.”
Three Key Figures Named by Trump:
Steve Witkoff — Special Envoy, Trump Administration
Jared Kushner — Trump’s Son-in-Law and Senior Adviser
Pete Hegseth — US Secretary of Defense
All three individuals briefed Trump based on intelligence assessments and direct engagement with Iranian officials. Defense Secretary Hegseth presented a military analysis of Iran’s war preparations and argued that a pre-emptive strike was both necessary and urgent.
The remarks have ignited a political storm in Washington. Analysts note that it is highly unusual for a president to publicly shift responsibility for a major military decision onto advisers rather than accepting personal accountability. Democratic lawmakers have accused Trump of deflecting blame, while Republican allies have defended the decision as bold and necessary for America’s national security.
Russia and China have criticized the US strike, while the United Nations has urged all parties to exercise maximum restraint and return to diplomatic engagement. The White House has yet to issue a formal clarification following Trump’s press conference remarks.