The U.S. quickly sought to distance itself from the strikes, which killed Iran’s top military leaders and targeted key nuclear facilities, but administration officials were reportedly briefed on the plans ahead of time.
Trump blamed Iran for the attack, arguing its leaders failed to quickly strike an agreement to wind down its nuclear program.
“There has already been great death and destruction, but there is still time to make this slaughter, with the next already planned attacks being even more brutal, come to an end,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “Iran must make a deal."
Earlier this week, Iran said it would target U.S. bases in the Middle East if “a conflict is imposed on us,” a move that could trigger a direct U.S. response inside Iran or against its proxies across the Middle East.
The U.S. would also face immense pressure to come to Israel’s defense in an escalating conflict.
Israel targeted Iran’s nuclear sites and took out several top military personnel, dealing a devastating blow to the Islamic Republic’s fighting force.
Israel was able to kill Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Cmdr. Hossein Salami, one of the most powerful military figures in the country, and Maj. Gen. Mohammad Bagheri, the commander-in-chief of Iran’s military.
The Israeli military also took out Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh, the commander of the IRGC’s air force, and Gen. Gholam Ali Rashid, the deputy commander-in-chief of Iran’s armed forces.
The strikes prompted Iran to hit back at Israel with heavy bombardment Friday, firing dozens of ballistic missiles at Tel Aviv, Israeli officials said.
Explosions could be heard throughout Tel Aviv. There have been at least seven hits on the ground in the city, a source told The Hill’s sister network NewsNation.
Read the full report at TheHill.com.
