Trump calls for ending war after Iran's retaliatory missile attack
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President Trump on Monday thanked Iran for giving "early notice" on its retaliatory missile attack, and called for ending the war between Israel and Iran.
Why it matters: Trump's comments on his Truth Social account came three hours after Iran targeted Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar in retaliation for the unprecedented U.S. strike on its nuclear facilities this weekend.
- Trump's post, in which he called the Iranian response "very weak," suggested he does not intend to retaliate and draw the U.S. further into the war.
- A White House official told Axios that Trump's goal now is to end the war, and he plans to make that clear to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. "We want a deal and don't want any more war," the official said.
The latest: "Those who know the Iranian people and their history know that the Iranian nation isn't a nation that surrenders," Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khameini posted on his English-language X account.
Driving the news: Iran was in contact with Qatar ahead of its attack on Al Udeid Air Base, and the Trump administration was aware of the threat in advance, a source familiar with the matter told Axios.
- "I want to thank Iran for giving us early notice, which made it possible for no lives to be lost, and nobody to be injured," Trump wrote.
- The limited missile strike came after the U.S. carried out an extraordinary operation against three Iranian nuclear sites on Saturday, which triggered fears that U.S. military assets in the region could be targeted.
Between the lines: It's unclear if the attack on Al Udeid marked the full extent of Iran's retaliation.
- A statement from Iran's Supreme National Security Council noted that the number of missiles fired at Qatar was equal to the number of bombs that the U.S. dropped on Iran's nuclear sites.
- That, along with the level of coordination between Iran and Qatar to minimize casualties, suggests Iran is prepared to de-escalate.
What they're saying: "Iran has officially responded to our Obliteration of their Nuclear Facilities with a very weak response, which we expected, and have very effectively countered," Trump wrote on Truth Social.
- "There have been 14 missiles fired — 13 were knocked down, and 1 was 'set free,' because it was headed in a nonthreatening direction. I am pleased to report that NO Americans were harmed, and hardly any damage was done," he continued.
- Trump claimed that Iran has "gotten it all out of their 'system,' and there will, hopefully, be no further HATE."
- "Perhaps Iran can now proceed to Peace and Harmony in the Region, and I will enthusiastically encourage Israel to do the same," he concluded.
State of play: The chief of staff of the Israel Defense Forces, Gen. Eyal Zamir, told Netanyahu and Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz on Sunday that the IDF is very close to achieving all of its war objectives, according to two Israeli officials.
- Zamir said the IDF doesn't need more than a few days to finish its operations in Iran and end the war, making clear that regime change is not an explicit priority. The IDF declined to comment.
- The Israeli security cabinet convened on Monday night local time to receive a briefing on the war and to discuss next steps.
- A senior Israeli official said the main question is whether Iran will stop its attacks on Israel or continue shooting missiles as part of a war of attrition.
- IDF spokesman Brigadier General Effie Defrin said in a briefing with reporters that the IDF's massive strikes in Tehran on Monday were meant to deliver "a clear message to the Iranian regime" to halt its missile attacks on Israel.
