On Sunday, June 15, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump called for Israel and Iran to “make a deal” to end their intensifying military conflict, while suggesting they might need to “fight it out” first, speaking to reporters at the White House before departing for the G7 summit in Kananaskis, Canada. The remarks come as the two nations exchanged missile strikes, with Israel targeting Iranian nuclear sites, military bases, and residential areas since Friday, June 13, killing top commanders and scientists, and Iran retaliating with ballistic missile attacks on Tel Aviv and Haifa, killing at least 23 Israelis and 224 Iranians, per Reuters. Trump’s comments reflect a dual approach of advocating diplomacy while acknowledging the conflict’s momentum, which risks a broader Middle East war after decades of proxy hostilities.
Trump claimed on Truth Social that “many calls and meetings” are underway, predicting “peace soon,” but declined to confirm urging Israel to pause its strikes. A senior U.S. official told AFP that Trump vetoed an Israeli plan to assassinate Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, citing concerns it would escalate the conflict and destabilize the region. Despite Trump’s diplomatic push, U.S.-Iran nuclear talks scheduled for June 15 in Oman were canceled after Israel’s attacks, with Iran refusing negotiations under assault. Trump’s support for Israel’s defense, including U.S. assistance in intercepting Iranian missiles, contrasts with his reluctance for direct U.S. involvement, as he told ABC News, “We’re not involved in it. It’s possible we could get involved. But we are not at this moment involved”
The G7 summit, starting June 15, is dominated by the Israel-Iran crisis, with leaders like Germany’s Friedrich Merz and Canada’s Mark Carney pressing Trump for clarity on his strategy, per The Guardian. European leaders seek a ceasefire to reschedule nuclear talks, but Israel’s aim to dismantle Iran’s nuclear and military capabilities, coupled with Iran’s vow to “open the gates of hell,” suggests a prolonged conflict. Posts on X, such as from @AFP, reflect global alarm, with 224 Iranian and 23 Israeli deaths reported by June 16. Trump’s mediation claims, likened to his India-Pakistan ceasefire in May 2025, face skepticism, with analysts like Josh Lipsky noting his tariffs and unpredictability could undermine G7 unity. The conflict’s economic impact, with oil prices surging 5% per Reuters, and civilian evacuations in Tehran and Tel Aviv, underscore the urgency of de-escalation.
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