Trump meets national security team amid escalating Israel-Iran conflict

On June 18, 2025, President Donald Trump convened a meeting with his national security team in the Situation Room at the White House. This meeting occurred amid an ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran, which has escalated significantly over the past several days. Israeli forces initiated a series of aerial strikes against Iranian military sites, described as preemptive, prompting a fierce retaliation from Iran, which has launched over 400 missiles towards Israel. The situation has raised international concerns about potential wider conflict, especially with the involvement of U.S. military assets in the region. Trump had recently returned to Washington from the G7 summit in Canada, where tensions in the Middle East prompted him to expedite his departure. The President instructed his national security team to be prepared for potential involvement in the escalating situation. Despite the seriousness of the matter, Trump stated he had not engaged in negotiations with Iranian leaders for a ceasefire and downplayed calls for diplomacy from other political figures, including Tulsi Gabbard. In a series of social media posts, Trump emphasized that Iran should have accepted earlier diplomatic deals offered by the U.S. He claimed that Iran was close to acquiring a nuclear weapon and expressed defiance against any threat to U.S. troops in the region. The American military has been repositioning its resources, including more than 30 aerial refueling tankers dispatched to support Israel in potential air operations against Iranian targets. This move indicates that the U.S. may be preparing for deeper involvement should tensions continue to escalate. The conflict further complicates U.S.-Iran relations and reflects a significant shift in Trump's approach as he appears to favor military action over diplomatic solutions. Both Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have indicated that they may consider targeting Iran's leadership, specifically Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, intensifying fears of widespread military action in the region. The incoming situation requires close attention, as both countries are involved in what could become a protracted conflict that impacts global security.