President Trump warned Tehran not to strike American interests as Israel is preparing for a conflict with the Islamic Republic that could last weeks.
In a Sunday morning message, Mr. Trump sought to distance the U.S. from Israel’s ongoing attacks on Iran and cautioned against any threat to Americans.
“The U.S. had nothing to do with the attack on Iran, tonight,” Mr. Trump said on Truth Social. “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. However, we can easily get a deal done between Iran and Israel, and end this bloody conflict!!!”
Anticipated talks on Iran’s nuclear program were canceled as the fighting continued.
Israel launched airstrikes across Iran for a third day on Sunday, while some Iranian missiles hit buildings in the heart of Israel after dodging air defenses.
Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Yechiel Leiter said Sunday that Israel’s attacks have not yet reached the desired effect.
“We’ve set them back dramatically, but not enough,” Mr. Leiter told ABC’s “This Week.” “And that’s why this series of strikes is not going to end today or tomorrow but only at a period of time, which may take weeks, when we are absolutely certain that the nuclear infrastructure with the intention of weaponizing and threatening Israel is terminated.”
Israel has killed top generals and nuclear scientists in Iran, while Tehran’s retaliatory attacks have killed 13 people and wounded more than 360 in Israel. Iran has fired more than 270 missiles, of which 22 have made impact, according to Israeli figures.
Asked about the risks of the war escalating, Mr. Leiter told ABC his country is fighting a war of survival with victory as the only acceptable outcome.
“The objective is not to contain the war, the objective is to win the war,” Mr. Leiter said.
Mr. Trump urged Israel and Iran to heed calls for peace again on Sunday.
“We will have PEACE, soon, between Israel and Iran!” Mr. Trump said on Truth Social. “Many calls and meetings now taking place. I do a lot, and never get credit for anything, but that’s OK, the PEOPLE understand. MAKE THE MIDDLE EAST GREAT AGAIN!”
The Israeli ambassador said Israel did not want to underestimate the threat from Iran as people miscalculated the threat from Nazi Germany in the 20th century.
“Now we’ve got a crazed new Hitler running around the Middle East saying he’s going to destroy us, we have to take him at face value, that’s his intention,” Mr. Leiter told ABC. “He says it every day. He’s got a concrete plan to destroy us. This isn’t a joke, this is very serious for us, it’s existential.”
Iran appears aware that Israeli strikes would continue, as state television said metro stations and mosques would serve as bomb shelters for people starting on Sunday night.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Sunday that if the Israeli strikes on Iran end then “our responses will also stop.”
The extent of damage done to Iran’s nuclear facilities is under review. Satellite photos analyzed by the Associated Press showed extensive damage at Iran’s main nuclear enrichment facility in Natanz. Israel also struck a nuclear research facility at Isfahan.
The International Atomic Energy Agency said there was no sign of increased radiation at Natanz or Isfahan.
— This article is based in part on wire service reports
