Israel-Iran Tensions Escalate: What Are Trump’s Possible Options Against Tehran?

Israel-Iran Tensions Escalate: President Trump's comments on the Israel-Iran conflict have veered from full-throated support for Israel's strikes to strongly distancing himself from them, and back again.

His ambiguity has added to the sense of uncertainty as the fighting itself escalates - as has his departure from the G7 in Canada. He simply said he had "big stuff" to return to in Washington.

The White House said his departure was to do with "what's going on in the Middle East", while later on Truth Social, he said it had "nothing to do with a Cease Fire".

Earlier, the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said the attacks were "fully coordinated" with the US

"Iran should have signed the “deal” I told them to sign. What a shame, and waste of human life. Simply stated, IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON. I said it over and over again! Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran!" –President Donald J. Trump pic.twitter.com/oniUSgsMWA

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) June 16, 2025

"Iran should have signed the 'deal” I told them to sign. What a shame, and a waste of human life. Simply stated, IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON. I said it over and over again! Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran!" Trump said on Truth Social.

Also Read: Trump Explains ‘Evacuate Tehran’ Warning as Multiple Explosions Rock Iran Capital

Trump cuts short Canada trip, tells NSC to be ready for meeting, Fox News reports. He’ll meet after he gets on Air Force One.

June 13, 2025: Israel launches a series of airstrikes on Iranian military infrastructure, including an enrichment facility. Senior IRGC personnel killed, over 220 Iranian casualties. Iran responds with missile and drone attacks on central Israel, 13 Israeli fatalities, hundreds injured.

Talks at the Canadian G7 summit focused on the conflict. Trump left the summit early to handle the crisis and cancelled several bilateral meetings, including one with Ukraine’s president. He ordered his national security team to meet in Washington to consider diplomatic options with Iran. He used his Twitter account to tell Tehran to evacuate.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni met with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to push for the resumption of talks with Iran and prevent it from getting nukes. European leaders backed a ceasefire proposal addressing both the Iran-Israel conflict and the Gaza situation.

One of the key planks of Trump’s presidential campaign has been to cut funding for international conflicts, including the Ukraine War.

Also Read: Fear of Israel-Iran War Grows as US, China Issue Urgent ‘Evacuate Tehran’ Warning

Israel has the support of most Republicans in the US, but there are voices within Trump’s Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement calling for the US to stop supporting Israel.

MAGA backers are asking why the US is getting drawn into the Middle East conflict, going back on the ‘America First’ foreign policy.

Several prominent Trump supporters have gone public, criticizing Israel and calling for the US to ‘drop Israel’.

"Engaging in it would be a middle finger to the millions of voters who cast their ballots hoping to create a government that would finally put America first," pro-Trump journalist Tucker Carlson said.

Meanwhile, Iran has already warned the US against helping Israel’s defense or it will attack US bases in the region.

Also Read: Aruna Irani Says Poor Finances Caused Rift With Cousin Bindu: “We Used to Borrow From Her”