According to a report by Axios, the Trump administration in the United States has made it clear to several Middle Eastern countries that it does not plan to actively involve itself (militarily) in the current Israel-Iran conflict unless Iran attacks American citizens. Axios, citing two sources from countries that received this message, stated that the administration conveyed this stance to its Middle Eastern allies on the 15th.
The U.S. has already supported Israel by intercepting missiles when Iran retaliated with ballistic missile attacks in response to Israel’s attacks. Moreover, U.S. media like AFP have reported that the U.S. canceled the USS Nimitz’s planned entry into Vietnam and deployed it to the Middle East, along with several aerial refueling aircraft.
The Axios report indicates that, while the U.S. supports Israel’s defense against Iranian aggression, it does not plan to directly participate in offensive measures against Iran. The U.S. military is preparing for urgent situations that might necessitate involvement in the Middle East and to deter Iran’s actions, but there is no immediate intention to join in attacking Iran.
However, if Iran launches attacks targeting American military bases or personnel in the Middle East, the U.S. considers this a “red line” that, if crossed, warrants a response.
Regarding this, President Trump, attending the G7 meeting, avoided answering a question on potential U.S. military intervention in the Israel-Iran conflict by saying he “did not want to talk about it.”
This cautious approach by the Trump administration diverges from Israel’s expectations, as Israel has requested U.S. cooperation in attacking Iran’s nuclear program. However, the U.S. government, according to an Axios report quoting an official, is not actively considering this request. Despite favorable conditions for a military operation against Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Trump has expressed opposition to such actions, U.S. officials told Axios over the weekend.
In this context, Iran has reportedly conveyed through a third party its wish to resume nuclear negotiations with the U.S. and mutually cease hostilities with Israel, as reported by the Wall Street Journal.
However, Israel, which seems to have control over Iran’s airspace, has not shown any intention to halt its actions against Iran, leaving the timeline for de-escalation in the Middle East uncertain.