Ravid flashback revives doubts over Trump's denials on Iran strikes
Axios's Barak Ravid recalls that Trump had already decided to strike Iran's nuclear sites before publicly saying otherwise last year
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Barak Ravid writes that before Operation Midnight Hammer in June 2025, the White House said Trump would decide "within two weeks" whether the US would join Israel's war against Iran. Ravid reports that Trump had already made that decision when the statement was made. Ravid writes that Trump had already authorized the attacks by then.
The flashback lands as Trump has made a string of statements on Iran that have since shifted or been contradicted by events. He disavowed a sanctions-relief offer he had floated, and he said he had not decided on Pentagon strike options even as planning moved forward. Two administration officials said the Pentagon had been directed to prepare Iran strike options built around the midterm election calendar. Defense Secretary Hegseth said the US had brought what he called "Epic Fury" to Iran, and that Trump believes theocratic regimes should never hold nuclear weapons.
None of this adds new detail on troop movements, strike timing or talks. Its weight for traders is as a credibility marker: a reminder that administration statements on Iran, including denials that a decision has been made, have not reliably held up before. That history is the backdrop against which the current run of statements and reversals should be weighed by anyone pricing Iran-related risk.