Trump backs tighter economic pressure on Iran as US ambassador says Iran proxies are ‘pure evil’

WASHINGTON / JERUSALEM, Aug 15: US President Donald Trump has shared a video supporting calls for increased economic pressure on Iran, while US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee separately condemned Hezbollah following an attack that reportedly wounded three Israeli soldiers.

Trump reposted a video on Truth Social featuring Behnam Ben Taleblu, senior director of the Iran Program at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, who argued that combining financial pressure with the US blockade could further weaken Iran’s military and economy.

Ben Taleblu said such measures could help “put time on our side” and maximize the impact of damage inflicted during the previous round of fighting. He described stronger economic pressure as an effective tool against Tehran.

Meanwhile, Huckabee accused Iran-backed groups of engaging in what he described as “pure evil” after Hezbollah allegedly attacked Israeli soldiers near the Lebanon border.

Citing a statement from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office, Huckabee said Hezbollah had seriously wounded three Israeli soldiers in a security zone and accused the group of deliberately placing civilians in a military compound.

Netanyahu’s office said the Israeli military subsequently struck the Hezbollah headquarters believed to have ordered the attack. It also claimed that civilians had been deliberately positioned inside the compound.

The developments come amid continued tensions involving Iran, Israel and Iran-aligned groups across the region.