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President Donald Trump warned that "it's possible" that the United States "could get involved" in the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict if it continues to escalate during an exclusive interview with ABC News' Rachel Scott on Sunday (June 15).
"We're not involved in it. It's possible we could get involved. But we are not at this moment involved," he said.
Trump also revealed that he had a lengthy call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday (June 14) to discuss the ongoing Middle Eastern conflict, claiming he would be "open" to Putin's idea to serve as a mediator between Israel and Iran.
"I would be open to it. [Putin] is ready. He called me about it. We had a long talk about it. We talked about this more than his situation. This is something I believe is going to get resolved," Trump said.
Earlier on Sunday, Trump claimed that Iran and Israel "should" and "will make a deal" amid both countries trading aerial attacks at each other.
"Iran and Israel should make a deal, and will make a deal, just like I got India and Pakistan to make, in that case by using TRADE with the United States to bring reason, cohesion, and sanity into the talks with two excellent leaders who were able to quickly make a decision and STOP! Also, during my first term, Serbia and Kosovo were going at it hot and heavy, as they have for many decades, and this long time conflict was ready to break out into WAR," Trump wrote on his Truth Social account Sunday (June 15) morning. I stopped it ([Former President Joe] Biden has hurt the longer term prospects with some very stupid decisions, but I will fix it, again!). Another case is Egypt and Ethiopia, and their fight over a massive dam that is having an effect on the magnificent Nile River. There is peace, at least for now, because of my intervention, and it will stay that way! 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!"
Trump's post came hours after he issued a scathing threat to Iran on his Truth Social account.
"The U.S. had nothing to do with the attack on Iran, tonight," Trump wrote in the post shared about half an hour after midnight. "If we are attacked in any way, shape or form by Iran, the full strength and might of the U.S. Armed Forces will come down on you at levels never seen before. However, we can easily get a deal done between Iran and Israel, and end this bloody conflict!!!"
Israel initially launched its unprecedented 'Rising Lion' attack, which was reported to have killed Gen. Bhossein Salami, head of Iran's Revolutionary Guard, Mohammad Bagheri, chief of the Iranian military, Gholam Ali Rashid, head of the country's emergency command and six nuclear scientists, early Friday (June 13) morning. Iran retaliated with several strikes of its own, killing 10 people, including two children, and injuring more than 200 in Tel Aviv, according to the New York Post.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly confirmed the initial attack launched by his military and said it would continue for many days.
“Moments ago, Israel launched operation Rising Lion, a targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat to Israel’s very survival,” he said during a televised address via CNN. “This operation will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat.”
Netanyahu said Iran had a program to develop and "could produce a nuclear weapon" had it not been stopped by Israel's attack.
“This is a clear and present danger to Israel’s very survival,” Netanyahu added, noting that the attack "struck at the head of Iran's nuclear weaponization program.
Iran quickly called for a "declaration of war" with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowing for "severe punishment" after the attacks.