Art of the war deal? Trump leverages Israel’s attack to force Iran to table

As Israeli warplanes and drones were launched into Iran, President Donald Trump was quick to distance the U.S. from Israel's decision-making, but behind the scenes, his administration was aware of what Israel had planned.

As soon as the smoke from the first bombs cleared, Trump pivoted to use the moment to implore Tehran back to the negotiating table and to protect Israel from a counteroffensive.

Israel targeted Iran's nuclear facilities and about 25 of its nuclear scientists. So far, two scientists have been confirmed dead, in addition to the commander of the Revolutionary Guard, the military chief of staff and senior general. The men were subject to international sanctions over their role in Iran's longstanding bid to join Israel as the second nuclear-armed power in the Middle East, according to the Australian Broadcasting Company.

Trump told reporters on Thursday at the White House that he preferred Israel not attack Iran.

“I don’t want them going in, because I think it would blow it,” Trump said, referring to a potential Israeli attack on Iran during the ongoing U.S. nuclear negotiations with Iran. “Might help it actually, but it also could blow it.”

Trump: "I'd love to avoid the conflict"

Trump said he preferred a diplomatic solution with Iran over military conflict.

“I’d love to avoid the conflict. Iran’s going to have to negotiate a little bit tougher — meaning they’re going to have to give us some things that they’re not willing to give us right now,” he said.

Trump had warned that an attack on Iran could spur a "massive conflict," and signaled that an attack might happen if a nuclear deal is not reached with Iran.

“I don’t want to say imminent, but it looks like it’s something that could very well happen,” he said.

“Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. Other than that, I want them to be successful,” Trump also said. “We’ll trade with them, we’ll do whatever is necessary."

Behind the scenes, the U.S. had informed Israel that an attack on Iran would be unilateral and not involve the U.S. military.

Israel had reportedly planned the attack for about 8 months. 

After the attack occurred, Trump warned Iran to come to the table and make a deal to avoid further destruction.

"I gave Iran chance after chance to make a deal. I told them, in the strongest of words, to 'just do it,' but no matter how hard they tried, no matter how close they got, they just couldn’t get it done. I told them it would be much worse than anything they know, anticipated, or were told, that the United States makes the best and most lethal military equipment anywhere in the World, BY FAR, and that Israel has a lot of it, with much more to come - And they know how to use it," Trump wrote on Truth Social. 

"Certain Iranian hardliners spoke bravely, but they didn’t know what was about to happen. They are all DEAD now, and it will only get worse! There has already been great death and destruction, but there is still time to make this slaughter, with the next already planned attacks being even more brutal, come to an end. Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left, and save what was once known as the Iranian Empire. No more death, no more destruction, JUST DO IT, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE. God Bless You All!" he added.

Iran estimates that 78 people have been killed and 320 have been injured in the attack.

Iran has now responded to the Israeli attack with their own ballistic missile attack on Israel, where over 50 people were reportedly injured and one confirmed dead as of Friday evening.

Rubio: "U.S. not involved"

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio was quick to emphasize that the U.S. was not directly involved in the planning of the attack on Iran.

"Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran," Rubio said in a statement. "We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region. Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its self-defense."

Republicans in Congress have been supportive of Israel's military actions toward Iran so far. "The Iranian regime is run by terrorists who have openly called for the destruction of Israel. Past measures of appeasement and diplomacy have been futile in stopping Iran from developing a nuclear weapon," said House Budget Chairman Jodey Arrington, R-Texas. 

"Israel is doing what any rational and responsible nation would do when faced with such an immediate existential threat. The United States must stand firmly with our ally as it defends its people and prevents a nuclear catastrophe," he added.