Trump weighs joining Israel’s Iran strikes: escalation looms in Middle East

As Iran and Israel exchange deadly missile barrages with hundreds of casualties, President Trump’s consideration to join Israeli strikes marks a critical turning point. This report details the latest military actions, civilian tolls, and the high-stakes geopolitical risks of U.S. involvement.

Sources:
NprBbcReuters+3
Updated 2h ago
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Sources: BbcFoxnewsNpr+2
The Middle East faces a dangerous escalation as Iran and Israel exchange heavy missile and airstrikes, with U.S. President Donald Trump contemplating joining Israel's campaign against Iran's nuclear facilities.

Iran has launched over 370 missiles and hundreds of drones at Israel, killing 24 civilians and wounding more than 500, according to Israeli authorities. In response, the Israeli Air Force conducted a massive airstrike wave targeting 20 sites in Tehran, including centrifuge production and weapons facilities.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared "the battle begins" and warned that any U.S. military intervention would be met with "irreparable harm." He urged no mercy toward Israelis, signaling a hardening stance.

President Trump, who previously advocated for de-escalation, is now reportedly considering joining Israel's strikes, raising fears of a broader regional conflict. Trump has issued an "ultimate ultimatum" demanding Iran's "unconditional surrender." He also threatened Khamenei directly but stopped short of immediate action.

On Capitol Hill, Democratic Senator Tim Kaine cautioned against U.S. involvement, calling a war with Iran a "catastrophic blunder."

Israeli officials emphasize the urgency of Operation Rising Lion, citing Iran's expansion of uranium enrichment to weapons-grade levels and defiance of international demands.

The conflict has already caused significant civilian casualties on both sides, with Iran reporting over 200 civilian deaths, including children, from Israeli strikes.

As tensions mount, the risk of a wider war involving the U.S. and Israel against Iran looms, with diplomatic and military options narrowing rapidly.
Sources: Bbc
Amid escalating Middle East conflict, Iran launched over 370 missiles at Israel, killing 24. Israel retaliated with airstrikes on Tehran’s nuclear sites. President Trump is weighing joining Israel’s strikes, raising fears of wider war. Iran’s Supreme Leader warns U.S. intervention will cause irreparable harm.
Section 1 background
The Headline

Escalating Iran-Israel conflict with possible US involvement

Key Facts
  • Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared 'the battle begins' and called for no mercy toward Israelis during missile attacks.1
  • Iran launched around 400 missiles at Israel, causing 24 civilian deaths and over 500 injuries.Reuters2
  • The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed to have used hypersonic missiles and stated Iranian forces have gained complete control over the skies of the occupied territories.1
  • Israel's IDF conducted over 50 fighter jet strikes on 20 targets in Tehran, including missile and centrifuge production sites.1
  • Israel launched a large scale attack wave targeting 12 sites in Iran to prevent nuclear weapon development.Npr
  • Iran reported over 200 civilian deaths including children due to Israeli strikes.Npr
  • Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated the strikes set back Iran's nuclear program by a very long time.Npr
  • Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei warned that any U.S. military intervention will cause irreparable damage.Bbc
  • U.S. President Donald Trump is contemplating joining Israel's strikes on Iranian nuclear sites despite earlier calls for de-escalation.Bbc
Iran has retaliated by launching more than 370 missiles and hundreds of drones at Israel. So far, 24 people have been killed in Israel and more than 500 wounded.
The Times of Israel
1
Iran has responded by launching more than 300 missiles and hundreds of drones toward Israel, in several waves of attacks that have sent civilians throughout both Israel and the occupied West Bank scrambling for cover amidst blaring air raid sirens.
Npr
Npr
US President Donald Trump is considering whether to join Israel's strikes on Iran's nuclear sites, as the conflict continues for a sixth day and angry rhetoric ramps up between all sides.
Bbc
Bbc
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei has warned that any U.S. military action in Iran will be “met with irreparable harm.” Khamenei’s warning comes a day after President Trump demanded Iran’s “unconditional surrender.”
Democracynow
1
Iran warned that the United States joining forces with Israel would mean an 'all-out war,' as Israel bombarded sites overnight that it says would have allowed Iran to continue enriching uranium, as well as attack Israeli forces.
Foxnews
Foxnews
Since Friday, Iran has fired around 400 missiles at Israel, some 40 of which have pierced through air defences, killing 24 people, all of them civilians, according to Israeli authorities.
Reuters
Reuters
Key Stats at a Glance
Number of missiles fired by Iran at Israel
around 400 missiles
Reuters
Missiles piercing Israeli air defenses
some 40
Reuters
Civilian deaths in Israel from missile attacks
killing 24 people
Reuters
Number of wounded in Israel from Iranian attacks
more than 500 wounded
1
Civilian deaths in Iran from Israeli strikes
more than 200 civilians
Npr

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Section 2 background
Background Context

Context on Iran-Israel conflict and US political responses

Key Facts
  • Iran has launched more than 300 missiles and hundreds of drones toward Israel in several waves, causing civilians in Israel and the occupied West Bank to seek cover amid air raid sirens.Npr
  • Panic and confusion gripped Tehran as Israel warned civilians to evacuate or face more potential strikes, with the conflict spilling into its fifth day.Npr
  • Iran warned that the United States joining forces with Israel would mean an 'all-out war' as Israel bombarded sites that would have allowed Iran to continue enriching uranium and attack Israeli forces.Foxnews
  • Iranian U.N. Ambassador Ali Bahreini accused the U.S. of being 'complicit in what Israel is doing'.Foxnews
  • Israeli Foreign Affairs Minister Gideon Sa'ar described Iran's nuclear program as having crossed every red line, expanding uranium enrichment to weapons-grade levels and maintaining weapons-related nuclear infrastructure in defiance of international demands.Foxnews
  • President Donald Trump has given Iran the 'ultimate ultimatum' demanding an unconditional surrender.Foxnews
  • Trump directly threatened Khamenei on Truth Social, stating the U.S. knows exactly where he is but will not take him out 'at least not for now.'1
  • On Capitol Hill, Democratic Senator Tim Kaine urged support for a War Powers Resolution to prevent a U.S. war with Iran, calling such a war a 'catastrophic blunder' for the country.1
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