Trump's deal-making tested as Israel, Iran trade blows
The Trump administration is hoping that Israel's bombardment will ultimately force nuclear concessions out of Iran.
WASHINGTON — As Israeli airstrikes light up the skies over Iran, the Trump administration is calling for Tehran to return to the negotiating table. President Donald Trump told reporters Sunday that he believes there’s a “good chance” Israel and Iran can reach an agreement to end their mounting hostilities.
“I think it’s time for a deal, and we’ll see what happens, but sometimes they have to fight it out,” Trump said before departing for the Group of Seven leaders’ summit in Canada.
The US president spoke before the Israeli military claimed it had “achieved full aerial superiority over Tehran’s skies” and destroyed roughly one-third of Iran’s surface-to-surface missile launchers since Friday. The Israeli strikes on Iran’s nuclear program and military infrastructure have killed at least 224 people and wounded more than 1,400 in Iran, according to the Iranian Health Ministry.
Iran has retaliated by launching waves of ballistic missiles that have destroyed several buildings in central Tel Aviv near the US Consulate and hit a major oil refinery in the port city of Haifa. The Iranian attacks have resulted in the deaths of at least 24 civilians in Israel and left around 600 people injured, Israel's emergency services said.
