Will the US join the war?

Tensions in the Middle East are rising by the hour, and the region stands on the verge of another major escalation. With each passing day, the red lines in the Iran-Israel conflict are being erased one by one. Former President Trump has said that everyone should be evacuated from Tehran as soon as possible. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, meanwhile, has claimed that the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei would end the war between the two nations. According to Iran International sources, Khamenei may have taken refuge in an underground bunker northeast of Tehran a few hours after the start of the Israeli military operation. The publication reports that Khamenei was in the same bunker during previous operations against Israel, specifically in April and October 2024.

Trump’s latest statements have only heightened concerns. On June 16, he criticized Russia’s expulsion from the G7 during the summit in Canada and left early. The White House explained his early departure as a response to the escalating situation in the Middle East. The G7 countries, in turn, expressed support for Israel and described Iran as a source of instability in the region. Trump wrote on Truth Social that “Iran should sign the deal he proposed, and at the same time, everyone should leave Tehran immediately,” hinting at the possibility of further escalation.

“Iran should have signed the deal I told them to sign. This is a disgrace and a waste of human life. Simply put, Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. I have said it again and again! Everyone must be evacuated from Tehran immediately!” Trump wrote.

Fox News reported that the US president has asked members of the National Security Council to meet in full in the White House Situation Room due to the crisis in the Middle East. Shortly afterward, the Secretary of Defense announced the deployment of additional military forces to the region. According to him, these troops will be sent to protect US armed forces and to strengthen America’s defensive posture in the area. Additionally, a senior US official fueled tensions further by suggesting in an interview with ABC News that assassinating Ayatollah Khamenei could bring an end to the conflict between Iran and Israel.

“We have half a century of conflict that this regime has spread, terrifying everyone in the Middle East. It bombed the Aramco oil fields in Saudi Arabia and has sown terror and sabotage everywhere. Iran wants a ‘forever war’ that could push us to the brink of nuclear conflict. Israel will prevent this and put an end to this aggression, and we can only do this by confronting the forces of evil,” Netanyahu said.

Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has also threatened Khamenei with a fate similar to that of Saddam Hussein.

“I warn the Iranian dictator to stop his war crimes and attacks on Israeli citizens. He should remember the Iraqi leader who did the same thing,” Gallant said.

Day 4 of the war: Brave woman and Iranian hackers

The fourth day of the Iran-Israel war was marked by more airstrikes, fires, casualties, and widespread destruction. Strikingly, each day follows nearly the same pattern: in the afternoon, Israel launches attacks on Iran, and in the evening, Iran responds with retaliatory strikes on Israel, often continuing until midnight. Some daytime attacks occur as exceptions to this cycle. Key events in the confrontation on the night of June 16 and 17 illustrate this ongoing escalation. As usual, Israel struck first.

The building housing the editorial office of Iranian state television was hit in the attacks. Sahar Emami, one of the country’s most well-known TV presenters, was on air when the explosion occurred. She briefly left the studio, and the broadcast was interrupted as the studio filled with ash. However, Emami soon returned and continued broadcasting live. According to reports, Israel had officially warned the district in Tehran where the TV station is located, advising residents to evacuate, but the editorial staff refused and continued working. The Israeli Defense Forces also announced that Ali Shadmani, the newly appointed chief of staff of Iran’s General Staff, had been killed in the strike. He had replaced Mohammad Bagheri, who died three days earlier. Israel claims Shadmani was one of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s closest associates, but Iranian officials have yet to confirm his death.

Meanwhile, Iran demonstrated its military readiness by reportedly shooting down an Israeli F-35 fighter jet. Another notable development on the fourth day of fighting was a series of cyberattacks by Iranian hackers targeting Israeli television networks, disrupting broadcasts on multiple channels. In addition, Haifa, which has been repeatedly targeted in recent days, suffered another rocket attack. Reports indicate that filming in the city has been suspended entirely and that some citizens who attempted to document the aftermath have been arrested. YouTube channels streaming live footage of rocket attacks have also been blocked. Observers note that widespread devastation in Israeli cities has turned some areas into scenes resembling Gaza, and restrictions by Israeli authorities aim to prevent public panic. Some reports claim that Israeli citizens are fleeing to Cyprus on private yachts.

Israel will not stop — Trump

While returning from the G7 summit in Canada, Trump stated that Israel’s attacks on Iran would continue without pause. He said he was monitoring the situation from the White House Situation Room and added that the outcome would become “clear in the next two days, but no one is slowing down right now.” Trump emphasized his concern for civilian safety and repeated his call for evacuations in Tehran. When asked if North Korea or Russia might provide aid to Iran, Trump responded, “I have not seen anything like that.”

Trump did not rule out sending US Special Representative for the Middle East Steve Whittock or Vice President James David Vance to hold negotiations with Iran. He also warned that if Iran attacks American troops, the United States would respond “strongly.” However, he expressed confidence that the US would not need to intervene directly for Iran to abandon its nuclear ambitions, suggesting that the conflict itself could compel Iran to make concessions. This leaves Iran facing a difficult choice: surrender its nuclear program or continue the war. Meanwhile, reports indicate that some Iranian lawmakers are considering withdrawing from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, which Iran ratified in 1970.