Trump Calls For Iran-Israel Deal—But Says They Might Need To 'Fight It Out' First

U.S. President Donald Trump has called on Iran and Israel to "make a deal" as tensions escalate between the two longtime rivals, but also suggested that the conflict might need to play out further before diplomacy can take hold.

“I think it’s time for a deal,” Trump told reporters as both nations exchanged a fresh wave of missile strikes, deepening fears of a broader regional war. “But sometimes they have to fight it out—we’ll see what happens,” he added, speaking from the White House before departing for the G7 summit in Canada.

This latest flare-up marks a dramatic shift from years of proxy warfare and covert operations. For the first time in decades, Iran and Israel are engaging in direct military confrontations, sparking international alarm that the violence could spiral into a wider Middle East conflict.

The current fighting erupted Friday after Israel launched a series of coordinated airstrikes, reportedly killing high-ranking Iranian military officials and nuclear scientists. Targets included military bases, suspected nuclear facilities, and even civilian areas.

When asked whether he had urged Israel to halt its airstrikes, Trump refused to comment.

However, a senior U.S. official disclosed that Trump had recently vetoed an Israeli proposal to assassinate Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei—an action that could have drastically escalated the situation.

Taking to his Truth Social platform, Trump reaffirmed his belief that both countries should—and eventually will—reach an agreement. He mentioned that "many calls and meetings" are already underway and expressed optimism that peace could come “soon” between the historic enemies.