Trump: Israel is very likely to strike Iran

US President Donald Trump suggested on Thursday that Israel might strike Iran, but stressed that he does not want Israel to do so and expressed his desire to avoid conflict with Tehran.

Trump said on Thursday that it was very likely that Israel would strike Iran. He added, during a press conference, that he did not want to say that such an Israeli strike was "imminent," but that it seemed "likely to happen."

Trump indicated that "something may happen soon in the Middle East." He continued, "I hope to avoid a conflict with Iran, but they have to give us things they are not willing to give." He said, "I want to make a deal with Iran, and we are close to that, and I prefer the friendly path."

Trump confirmed on Wednesday that Washington had evacuated a group of non-essential employees from the Middle East, while the Washington Post reported that the United States was on high alert in anticipation of a possible Israeli strike against Iran.

The Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth quoted US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee on Thursday as saying that he believes Tel Aviv will not attack Iran without Washington's approval. Huckabee added, "In my opinion, this scenario is unlikely," but he explained that Israel must "make the decision itself."

CBS News, for its part, reported that the Trump administration is considering options to support the Israeli attack, without participating in its leadership. The network quoted a US official as saying that the United States is capable of defending Israel if Iran launches a counterattack.

Axios reported that US envoy Steve Witkoff warned, in a closed-door meeting last week with senior Senate Republicans, that Iran could respond with a "large-scale, high-casualty attack" if Israel bombed its nuclear facilities.

The website quoted a US official and a source familiar with the details as saying that the Iranian response could overwhelm Israeli defenses and cause significant damage.

Israeli sources say the army is on high alert, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu awaits a "green light" from Trump to act.

Witkoff told Republican senators that Israeli military strikes were on the table "if no agreement is reached."

He expressed his country's concern that Israeli air defenses might not withstand an Iranian response involving hundreds of missiles. He explained that such an attack could result in "a massive number of casualties and significant damage," emphasizing that Iran's missile arsenal poses an "existential threat" no less dangerous than its nuclear capabilities.

According to US intelligence estimates, Iran possesses approximately 2,000 ballistic missiles capable of carrying warheads of up to 2,000 pounds, most of which cover the range of Israel.

US Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander General Eric Kurilla is expected to arrive in Israel next Saturday for talks with political and military officials regarding Iran.

During his testimony before the House Armed Services Committee, Kurilla stressed that any Israeli strike would put US forces in the region at risk.