Former US President Donald Trump has called on Iran and Israel to reach a diplomatic agreement amid an intensifying exchange of missile strikes between the two nations, suggesting that "sometimes they have to fight it out" before a deal can be reached.
Speaking to reporters at the White House on Sunday before departing for a G7 summit in Canada, Trump stated, "I think it's time for a deal. But sometimes they have to fight it out, but we're going to see what happens."
Unprecedented Direct Confrontation
The current conflict marks the first time arch-enemies Israel and Iran have engaged in direct military exchanges of this magnitude. After years of proxy warfare and covert operations, the situation has escalated dramatically, triggering widespread concerns about a potential regional war that could engulf the entire Middle East.
The latest round of hostilities began on Friday when Israel launched a series of attacks across Iran. These strikes reportedly killed top military commanders and nuclear scientists while targeting military bases, nuclear facilities, and residential areas throughout the country.
BenriNews reports that Iran has responded with its own barrage of missiles, with both sides threatening further devastation as tensions continue to mount.
Trump's Stance on the Conflict
When questioned about whether he had asked Israel to pause airstrikes on Iran, Trump remained silent. This comes amid allegations from a senior US official that Trump had previously vetoed an Israeli plan to assassinate Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The conflict has already resulted in casualties, with Israeli rescuers reporting that Iranian strikes have killed five people and injured 92 others. Additionally, reports indicate that an Iranian missile damaged the US Embassy in Tel Aviv, further complicating the international dimensions of the conflict.
Russia has begun evacuating its citizens from Iran and suspended consular services as the situation deteriorates. Meanwhile, some analysts suggest that Israel may have underestimated Iran's ability to regroup after the killing of top military officials.
As the situation continues to develop, international pressure for de-escalation is mounting, with Cyprus reportedly being asked by Iran to send a message to Israel.
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