United States President Donald Trump warned Iran on Sunday that it would experience “the full strength” of the American military if it attacks the US, reiterating that Washington was not connected to Israel’s strikes on Tehran’s nuclear and intelligence facilities.
“The US had nothing to do with the attack on Iran, tonight. If we are attacked in any way, shape or form by Iran, the full strength and might of the US Armed Forces will come down on you at levels never seen before,” he wrote on the Truth Social site.
He added that “we can easily get a deal done between Iran and Israel, and end this bloody conflict!!!”
Trump has been steadfast in his support of Israel’s bombardment of Iran since it began on Friday, calling the attacks “excellent.” He also said that the US was fully aware that Israel would attack.
While aiding in defending Israel from missile attacks, Washington has not taken part in the attacks on Iran itself. Experts say the US military’s bunker buster bombs would be needed to eliminate all of Iran’s nuclear facilities, some of which are located deep underground.
Before the attacks occurred, Trump said he did not want Israel to strike Iran but acknowledged such action was on the table. Israeli officials have suggested those comments were a ruse.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Sunday that Tehran had evidence to show US forces supported the intense bombardment campaign Israel launched against the Islamic Republic.
“We have solid proof of the support of the American forces and American bases in the region for the attacks of the Zionist regime military forces,” Araghchi told foreign diplomats in a meeting broadcast on state TV.
Trump on Saturday said both he and Russian President Vladimir Putin felt the Israel-Iran war “should end,” after a phone call with the Russian leader.
“President Putin called this morning to very nicely wish me a Happy Birthday, but to more importantly, talk about Iran, a country he knows very well,” Trump wrote.
“We talked at length. Much less time was spent talking about Russia/Ukraine, but that will be for next week. He is doing the planned prisoner swaps — large numbers of prisoners are being exchanged, immediately, from both sides,” he said. “The call lasted approximately 1 hour. He feels, as do I, this war in Israel-Iran should end, to which I explained, his war should also end.”
Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said Putin condemned the Israeli military operation against Iran and expressed concern about the risks of escalation.
Ushakov said Trump described events in the Middle East as “very alarming.” But the two leaders said they do not rule out a return to the negotiating track on Iran’s nuclear program, he said.
Ushakov said US negotiators were ready to hold further talks with Iranian representatives, with Oman as mediator. A round scheduled for Sunday in Oman has been canceled due to the strikes.
The Kremlin aide said Putin told Trump that Russia stood by proposals to ease tension and resolve issues concerning Iran’s nuclear program.
“The Russian president recalled that prior to the current rise in tension, our side had proposed concrete steps intended to find mutually acceptable agreements during talks between US and Iranian representatives about the Iranian nuclear program,” Ushakov said.
“Russia’s principled approach and interest in a resolution are unchanged and, as Vladimir Putin noted, we will continue to act based on this.”
Meanwhile, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said his country, along with France and Britain, was ready to hold immediate talks with Iran over its nuclear program in a bid to de-escalate the situation.
Wadephul, who is on a visit to the Middle East, said he was trying to contribute toward a de-escalation of the conflict between Israel and Iran, and noted Tehran had previously failed to take the opportunity to enter into constructive talks.
“I hope that’s still possible,” Wadephul told German public broadcaster ARD late on Saturday. “Germany, together with France and Britain, are ready. We’re offering Iran immediate negotiations about the nuclear program. I hope (the offer) is accepted.”
“This is also a key prerequisite for reaching a pacification of this conflict — that Iran presents no danger to the region, for the State of Israel or to Europe.”
The enmity between Israel and Iran escalated into an unprecedented open conflict in the early hours of Friday morning when Israel launched a major offensive against Iran and its nuclear program, hitting nuclear sites, missile bases, and top military officials.
Israel said it had no choice but to attack Iran, noting that it had gathered intelligence that Tehran was approaching “the point of no return” in its pursuit of a nuclear weapon.
Iran responded with ballistic missile barrages overnight Friday and then again on Saturday, killing at least 13 people, injuring hundreds, and destroying residential buildings.
Most of the missiles were intercepted by air defenses, including US systems.
The Israeli operation was expected to last several days at least, according to military officials, who added that the IDF was preparing for heavy fire from Iran, but asserted that “at the end of the operation, there will be no nuclear threat” from the Islamic Republic.