Trump says ‘it’s possible’ US will get involved in Iran-Israel conflict, while urging deal
US president claims strikes ‘may have forced a deal to go quicker,’ later says Israel, Iran may have to ‘fight it out’; adds Putin prepared to mediate between warring countries
US President Donald Trump said Sunday that the US could become involved in the Iran-Israel conflict, while adding that he would be “open” to his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, helping mediate.
According to ABC News, the Republican president also said talks over Iran’s nuclear program were continuing and that Tehran would be more inclined to make a deal now that the Islamic Republic was trading massive strikes with Israel.
There has been no public indication of negotiations continuing since Israel launched its offensive in Iran early Friday, and Tehran canceled Sunday’s planned sixth round of talks with Washington.
“It’s possible we could get involved” in the ongoing battle, Trump said in an off-camera interview with ABC News senior political correspondent Rachel Scott.
He stressed that the US was “not at this moment” involved in military action.
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 in advance that Israel would attack.
While aiding in defending Israel from missile attacks, Washington has not taken part in the strikes 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.
As for Putin — engaged in a brutal three-year war with Ukraine — being a potential mediator in the conflict, “he is ready. He called me about it. We had a long talk about it,” Trump said to ABC News.
Israel and Iran traded heavy aerial assaults for a third consecutive day Sunday, with casualties mounting following Israel’s large-scale attacks aimed at crippling Iran’s nuclear and military infrastructure.
Both Iran and Oman, which acted as a mediator on the nuclear issue, have said planned talks on the nuclear program had been canceled. But Trump said the two sides were continuing discussions.
“No, there’s no deadline” on negotiations, he told ABC when asked whether there was a time limit for Tehran to come to the table.
“But they are talking. They’d like to make a deal. They’re talking. They continue to talk,” Trump said, according to Scott.
The president suggested that something like the clash between Israel and Iran “had” to happen to spur talks on a nuclear agreement. It “may have forced a deal to go quicker, actually,” Trump argued.
Warning of retaliation
Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform that Israel and Iran “should make a deal,” predicting that the two archenemies “will make a deal.”
He boasted that he’d successfully intervened to end a brewing fight between India and Pakistan recently, and one between Serbia and Kosovo in his first term.
“Likewise, we will have PEACE, soon, between Israel and Iran! Many calls and meetings now taking place. I do a lot, and never get credit for anything, but that’s OK, the PEOPLE understand. MAKE THE MIDDLE EAST GREAT AGAIN!” he wrote.
Earlier on his social media platform, Trump threatened that American forces would retaliate if Iran were to attack the US “in any way, shape or form.”
“The full strength and might of the US Armed Forces will come down on you at levels never seen before,” he vowed. “However, we can easily get a deal done between Iran and Israel, and end this bloody conflict!!!”
However, Trump later acknowledged that rather than resolving matters diplomatically, Israel and Iran may have to “fight it out.”
Talking to reporters as he left for the G7 summit in Canada, Trump said he thinks “there’s a good chance” of a deal, but “sometimes they have to fight it out.”
In response to a question, he declined to say whether he had asked Israel to pause strikes on Iran. Asked if the US would continue to support Israel’s campaign, he said: “We do.”
Regarding Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump said: “We get along very well and I think we have great respect for each other.”
Trump on Iran and Israel: "I think there's a good chance there will be a deal."
“Sometimes they have to fight it out” pic.twitter.com/FFkh5alM8R
— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) June 15, 2025
Meanwhile, the US Embassy in Iraq said it was aware of an increased potential for violence or attacks against US-owned businesses and locations frequented by Americans.
“We urge all US citizens in Iraq to avoid locations frequented by foreigners and any large gatherings or crowds,” the embassy said in a statement.
On Thursday last week, the US Embassy in Iraq evacuated all non-essential personnel in anticipation of Israel’s offensive in neighboring Iran.
The Times of Israel Community.