President Donald Trump proclaimed Saturday afternoon that the new war in the Middle East, initiated by Israel against its longtime foe Iran, “should end.” But as the Israeli offensive enters its third day, the conflict is expanding, with little sign that the U.S. will use its leverage as Israel’s chief military and diplomatic backer to halt the assault on Iranian targets. This has spurred retaliation by Iran and increased fears that American military sites and crucial global trade routes will soon be hit.
Trump has repeatedly said he wants a deal with Iran to sharply limit its nuclear program in exchange for relief from punishing economic sanctions led by the U.S. Some supporters of Israel’s assault claim it will make Iran more willing to compromise and eager to quickly reach an agreement. Instead, Saturday brought a confirmation from Oman — the Middle Eastern nation which hosts indirect negotiations between American and Israeli officials — that the planned upcoming round of talks has been canceled. Experts in nuclear diplomacy said they saw dwindling chances of Tehran agreeing to a deal soon.
Meanwhile, fresh signs emerged of Israel’s determination to deal even greater damage to Iran while the Trump administration struggles to craft a response to the crisis. Israel twice attacked Iran’s energy infrastructure, a core component of the country’s economy, indicated a willingness to assassinate Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and pushed Washington to join a strike on Iran’s most sensitive nuclear site, which Israeli forces are not equipped to attack on their own.