Trump Warns Iran as Israel-Iran Conflict Escalates
WASHINGTON, D.C. Former U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a stern warning to Tehran, cautioning against any attack on American interests amid a sharp escalation in the Israel-Iran conflict that has left scores of civilians dead and heightened fears of a broader regional war.
In a post on Truth Social on Sunday, Trump declared that “if we are attacked in any way, shape or form by Iran, the full strength and might of the U.S. Armed Forces will come down on you at levels never seen before.” Despite the rising violence, Trump expressed optimism for peace, suggesting that a diplomatic breakthrough between Israel and Iran could be imminent.
“Iran and Israel should make a deal, and will make a deal,” he wrote. “We will have PEACE, soon, between Israel and Iran! Many calls and meetings now taking place.”
While the U.S. has officially denied participating in Israel’s military operations, American forces have reportedly intercepted Iranian missiles targeting Israel. Two U.S. officials confirmed the military’s defensive actions, though no offensive operations have been acknowledged.
Deadly Strikes Raise Tensions and Casualties
Since Friday, Israeli and Iranian forces have exchanged deadly strikes, resulting in mounting civilian casualties on both sides. In Israel, at least 13 people have been killed, including children, as Iranian missiles struck residential areas. Rescue teams continue searching for survivors beneath the rubble in cities like Bat Yam and Haifa.
Iran, meanwhile, has suffered even heavier losses. Tehran reported at least 78 deaths on Friday, followed by a devastating Israeli airstrike on Saturday that flattened a 14-storey residential building, killing at least 60 people half of them children. The strikes also ignited a massive fire at a fuel depot in the Iranian capital, threatening key infrastructure and economic stability.
Iran has responded with two separate waves of missile barrages, with impacts reported in Tel Aviv, Haifa, and southern Israel. The Iranian military urged Israeli civilians to evacuate “vital areas,” while the Israeli Defense Forces similarly warned Iranians living near nuclear and missile facilities to leave immediately.
Trump and Putin Discuss Mediation Role
Despite the intensifying conflict, Trump appeared confident in an eventual resolution. He revealed that he had spoken with Russian President Vladimir Putin about the Middle East crisis, even proposing that the Russian leader could serve as a mediator between the warring states — a suggestion that has sparked controversy given Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine and strained ties with the West.
In an interview with ABC News, Trump argued that recent violence could accelerate diplomatic progress. “Something like this had to happen,” he said. “They want to talk, and they will be talking. May have forced a deal to go quicker, actually.”
However, Trump’s assertions were contradicted by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who vowed that Israel’s campaign would escalate. Netanyahu said the aim was to dismantle Iran’s nuclear and ballistic capabilities, not regime change — though he admitted such an outcome could emerge as a consequence of military pressure.
“The Iranian regime is very weak,” Netanyahu said in an interview with Fox News. “We are geared to do whatever is necessary to remove the existential threats.”
Tensions Within U.S. Administration
Amid reports that Israel proposed a strike to assassinate Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, two senior U.S. officials told Reuters that Trump vetoed the plan. According to one official, “Until Americans are killed, we’re not even talking about going after political leadership.”
Netanyahu declined to confirm the plan in his Fox interview, saying only, “There’s so many false reports of conversations that never happened, and I’m not going to get into that.”
Airlines Grounded, Civilians Urged to Flee
The intensifying violence has severely disrupted civilian life and travel. Israel’s national carrier, El Al Airlines, announced the suspension of all flights until at least June 19, with some cancellations extending to June 23. Israel’s airspace remains largely closed, and the National Security Council has urged citizens to avoid travel through Egypt and Jordan, both under high-level security warnings.
Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed concern during the G7 Summit in Canada and urged international cooperation to prevent further escalation. “This conflict could engulf the entire region if not addressed swiftly,” Merz warned.
As the conflict enters a potentially more dangerous phase, both Iran and Israel are bracing for what could be days or weeks of further violence. Civilians on both sides are being urged to evacuate target zones and prepare for continued unrest.
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Trump Warns Iran as Israel-Iran Conflict Escalates