Trump Administration Seeks To Distance U.S. From Israeli Strikes On Iran

WASHINGTON, June 12 (Reuters) - President Donald Trump’s management sought to region nan United States connected Thursday from Israel’s strikes connected Iran, attacks that are apt to complicate Trump’s thrust for a atomic woody pinch Tehran.

Israel said it had struck Iranian atomic targets to artifact Tehran from processing atomic weapons, moreover arsenic nan Trump management was preparing to clasp a sixth information of talks connected Sunday connected Tehran’s escalating uranium enrichment program.

Marco Rubio, Trump’s caput of authorities and nationalist information adviser, stressed that Israel’s strikes were unilateral, while saying nan U.S. had known attacks would occur.

“We are not progressive successful strikes against Iran and our apical privilege is protecting American forces successful nan region,” Rubio said successful a statement. “Israel advised america that they judge this action was basal for its self-defense.”

Just hours earlier nan strikes, Trump had urged a negotiated solution to nan tensions, while saying a onslaught connected Iran “could very good happen.” Iran says its atomic power programme is only for serene purposes, though nan International Atomic Energy Agency connected Thursday declared Iran successful breach of its non-proliferation obligations for nan first clip successful almost 20 years.

Rubio had a stark informing for Iran, a time aft nan United States ordered immoderate U.S. unit to time off nan Middle East successful consequence to tensions successful nan area. “Let maine beryllium clear: Iran should not target U.S. interests aliases personnel,” he said.

His connection did not mention whether Washington would support Israel if it faces retaliatory strikes, a modular statement successful nan past.

Trump has been progressively astatine likelihood pinch Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu complete some Iran and his handling of nan Israel’s warfare successful Gaza, wanting to seal a woody pinch Tehran and accelerate nutrient assistance into Gaza.

Trump and Netanyahu said connected Monday, and Trump told reporters nan main taxable was Iran. Speaking to reporters connected Thursday, he suggested an Israeli onslaught was imminent.

“Well, I’d emotion to debar conflict. Iran’s going to person to discuss a small tougher, meaning they’re going to person to springiness america immoderate things that they’re not consenting to springiness america correct now,” he said.

Retaliation by Iran for Israel’s strikes could put U.S. troops and diplomats astir nan region astatine risk, fixed that nan United States is Israel’s main backer.

Security concerns had risen since Trump said connected Wednesday that U.S. unit were being moved retired of nan region because “it could beryllium a vulnerable place” and that Tehran would not beryllium allowed to create a atomic weapon.

Washington and Tehran connected Thursday had announced plans for different information of talks connected Sunday successful Oman betwixt U.S. typical envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi.

Whether that gathering will return spot is now unclear. A Witkoff spokesperson did not instantly respond to a query.

(Reporting By Steve Holland; Editing by Don Durfee and William Mallard)