Live Update arrow right icon From the Liveblog of Saturday, February 28, 2026

‘Desperate, floundering’ Iran wrong to claim Israel dragged US into conflict — Trump official

By Jacob Magid 1 March 2026, 2:15 am
1 Edit
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on Google

Jacob Magid is The Times of Israel's US bureau chief

After Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi suggested that Israel dragged the US into the current conflict with Tehran, a US official vehemently denies that this is the case.

“Israel did not drag the US into Operation Epic Fury. [US] President [Donald] Trump acted out of the national interest of the United States,” the US official tells The Times of Israel on condition of anonymity.

“Any claim to the contrary by a desperate and floundering Iran is false,” the official adds.

Most Popular
If you’d like to comment, join
The Times of Israel Community.
JOIN THE TOI COMMUNITY
Join The Times of Israel Community
Commenting is available for paying members of The Times of Israel Community only. Please join our Community to comment and enjoy other Community benefits.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Confirm Mail
Thank you! Now check your email
You are now a member of The Times of Israel Community! We sent you an email with a login link to . Once you're set up, you can start enjoying Community benefits and commenting.