Donald Trump advisor warns Israel may unleash nukes in Middle East – 'Catastrophic'

 A top advisor to Donald Trump admits he is worried about Israel "contemplating using a nuclear weapon" in the Middle East conflict.

David Sacks, the czar for artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency in the Trump administration, warned that if Israel came under concerted attack it could use the nuclear option.

He has spoken about the risks of an “escalatory approach” in the conflict with Iran and Hezbollah in Lebanon. “Israel could get seriously destroyed,” he said, before adding: “And then you have to worry about Israel escalating the war by contemplating using a nuclear weapon.”

Sacks has given a more cautionary line on the conflict compared to the more bombastic messages from Trump and US defence secretary Pete Hegseth who have already talked about victory in the war with Iran - which has gone on now for more than two weeks.

As global anxiety soars over oil prices and supplies, Trump said he hopes China, France, Japan, South Korea, the UK and others send warships to keep the Strait of Hormuz “open and safe.” Britain in response said it was discussing with allies a “range of options” to secure shipping.

Israel and the United States have been pummelling Iran but despite the triumphalist tone from Trump, there does not appear to be any clear end in sight. And at the same time Israel has been attacking targets in Lebanon as it fights Iran's ally Hezbollah.

With the Trump administration polling badly in the US ahead of the midterm elections later this year, Sacks clearly believes it is better to get out now from the Middle East conflict. “This is a good time to declare victory and get out, and that is clearly what the markets would like to see,” he told the All In podcast.

Specifically speaking about the conflict's impact on Israel, it is there that he sees the danger of a nuclear weapon being used. “It’s hard to know exactly how much damage Israel is taking right now,” he said. “We’re only two weeks into this. If this war continues for weeks or months, then Israel could just be destroyed."

On the danger of a nuclear weapon being used, said it would be “truly catastrophic” - adding that there are “a lot of really frightening scenarios about where escalation could lead.”

But Trump doesn't appear to have any plans on reining in his attacks on Iran. After the US military targeted Kharg Island yesterday he wrote on social media: “Moments ago, at my direction, the United States Central Command executed one of the most powerful bombing raids in the History of the Middle East, and totally obliterated every MILITARY target in Iran’s crown jewel, Kharg Island.

“For reasons of decency, I have chosen NOT to wipe out the Oil Infrastructure on the Island. However, should Iran, or anyone else, do anything to interfere with the Free and Safe Passage of Ships through the Strait of Hormuz, I will immediately reconsider this decision.”