US Not Involved in Israeli Strikes on Iran
On Thursday evening, Secretary of State Marco Rubio clarified that the United States was not participating in the recent Israeli strikes against Iran, emphasizing a desire to avoid entanglement in the conflict between the two nations.
“Israel has taken unilateral action against Iran tonight. We are not involved in any strike on Iran; protecting US troops in the area is our top priority,” Rubio stated.
He elaborated that Israel informed the US of their belief in the necessity of the action for self-defense. “President Trump and the administration have implemented all necessary measures to safeguard our troops and maintain strong relations with local allies. It’s essential to be clear about this,” he said.
The Israeli attack, which aimed at Iranian nuclear and military facilities, coincides with ongoing negotiations between the Trump administration and Tehran regarding a nuclear deal.
Just hours prior to the attack, Trump expressed concern that Israeli incursions could jeopardize US negotiations with Iran. He mentioned to reporters, “As long as I think there’s an agreement, I prefer to keep them away. They might improve things, but they also could complicate it.” When asked if he advised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against the strikes, Trump admitted, “Yes, I did. What’s your next question?”
Israel confirmed that it conducted an offensive targeting various military and nuclear sites. While it remained unclear what was specifically struck, reports indicated visible smoke in western Tehran.
The Israeli Defense Force (IDF) announced, “We initiated a precise, preemptive attack on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure,” stating that they targeted multiple military sites across Iran.
“Iran is closer than ever to acquiring nuclear weapons. An Iranian regime armed with weapons of mass destruction poses an existential threat not only to Israel but to the global community. Israel is compelled to act in defense of its citizens,” the IDF noted.
Officials from the Trump administration are scheduled to meet soon for further discussions with Iran, though it’s uncertain how the strikes will impact those negotiations.
Trump has previously expressed optimism about reaching deals with Iran, though he recently adopted a more cautious stance, noting an increase in Iranian aggression.
While the Trump administration has reduced its military presence in Iraq recently, Defense Secretary Pete Hegses indicated that there have been adjustments in deployments, particularly concerning military dependents in Northeast Africa, the Middle East, and parts of South and Central Asia.
