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Donald Trump called for Tehran to “unconditionally surrender” in a series of belligerent comments that opened the door to the United States to join Israeli strikes against Iran.
The US president said his patience was “slimly worn,” and Iran’s top leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was a “easy target.”
“We’re not going to take him (kill him!), at least not for now,” Trump said. “But we don’t want to fire missiles at civilians or American soldiers.”
The intervention from Trump comes amid the fear that the war between two of the most powerful forces in the Middle East, sparked by Israel’s surprise attack on Iran last week, could ripple into conflicts over the wider region.
Although Israeli forces have had early success since launching a surprising attack on Iran last Friday, analysts doubt that they can destroy Iran’s nuclear capabilities without US involvement as the only country believed to have bombs strong enough to damage a key folder enrichment plant located deep underground.
As the US persuaded the region towards a growing military stance, the big question was whether Trump was planning to enter the conflict or was using the obvious threat of military action as a way to increase leverage in Tehran.
US Vice President JD Vance said Trump “may decide he needs to take further action.”
Vance, who took a more isolated attitude about foreign policy than many other Republicans, nodded to critics from within his own party, skeptical of the United States, entangled with long-term conflicts overseas.
He said in X that Trump is “interested in using the US military to achieve American goals.”
Recently, the US has built a military presence in the Middle East, deploying additional assets locally, including air-to-air fuelling aircraft that the US uses if American fighters become involved in conflict. The US was also able to provide refueling assistance to Israeli fighter jets.
The Pentagon on Monday said it was relocating USS Nimitz Aircraft strike groups to the Middle East on Monday, according to the US Secretary of Defense.
The strike group, which includes the Nimitz carrier and three guided missile destroyers, was in the South China Sea, according to the ship’s tracking website Marinetraffic.
The US Secretary of Defense said it would take at least a week for strike groups to reach the area.
Those familiar with the situation said Israeli officials were optimistic that Trump had decided to take part in a military campaign against Iran but had waited for him to make the decision.
Israel and Iran continued to trade fires on Tuesday, with Israeli Jets responding with targets including Tehran bombing sites and surface-to-air missile sites and radars in western Iran, while the Islamic Republic responded with consecutive ammunition against Israel.
However, Israeli military officials said Iran’s overnight missile barrage in Israel was “the least influenced” so far, as Israeli forces continued to attack Tehran’s long-range missile capabilities.
Shortly before Trump left the leadership summit, G7 countries, including the United States, sought a “broader detachment” of conflict in the Middle East.
British Prime Minister Kielstama said: [Trump] It suggests he is about to engage in this conflict. ”
