Trump Says U.S. Could Join Israel-Iran War

In a stunning admission, President Donald Trump has said the United States might get drawn into Israel’s escalating war with Iran—but has already stopped one move that could have lit the entire region on fire.

“We’re not involved in it,” Trump told ABC News’ Rachel Scott, according to a statement she read on-air. “It’s possible we could get involved, but we’re not involved at this moment.”

That comment comes just hours after Israeli forces launched a surprise aerial assault on Iran’s key nuclear enrichment sites. The strikes—described by regional observers as unprovoked—killed several top Iranian officials, including the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and two nuclear scientists. Civilian casualties were also reported, with Iranian state TV claiming at least a dozen non-military deaths.

One move that didn’t happen? The assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

According to two U.S. officials who spoke to the Associated Press, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asked for American approval to take Khamenei off the map. Trump reportedly said no.

Trump Blocking Assassination, But Keeping Options Open

The revelation that Trump vetoed Israel’s plan to kill Khamenei shows just how close the world came to what could have become a regional, if not global, war. The Supreme Leader appeared on Iranian television following the strikes, defiantly vowing retaliation.

While Trump is publicly distancing the U.S. from the Israeli offensive, behind the scenes tells a different story.

Sources confirmed to the AP that U.S. and Israeli officials have been in “constant contact” in recent days—communications that include direct conversations between Trump and Netanyahu.

Despite the behind-the-scenes dialogue, Trump has been urging restraint. Last week, he reportedly asked Israel to hold off on attacking Iran until diplomatic options were fully explored.

Diplomacy Crumbles, War Looms

Those diplomatic options may already be gone.

Talks between Washington and Tehran had been underway, with Trump offering Iran a 60-day window to reach a new nuclear deal. But negotiations collapsed after the U.S. accused Iran of stalling and Iran, in turn, accused Trump of refusing to lift economic sanctions and recognize its right to enrich uranium for civilian energy use.

With diplomacy hanging by a thread and bombs already falling, critics say Trump’s “maybe” about U.S. involvement is dangerously vague.

“Trump can’t have it both ways,” said a former Obama-era State Department official. “You don’t veto an assassination, then tell the world war is possible. That’s not strategy. That’s roulette.”

What Comes Next?

So far, Trump has avoided committing American troops or airpower to Israel’s campaign. But with tensions spiraling and U.S. assets across the region on high alert, the question remains: how long can the U.S. stay out?

And with November’s election looming, Trump’s next move could define not just his foreign policy legacy—but the future of the Middle East.