UPD: The US Congress is preparing a resolution to stop Trump from attacking Iran, reported Sky News.
Republican Congressman Thomas Massie joined forces with Democratic politicians and stated that Trump's potential decision to strike Iran would violate the country's constitution. A similar statement was previously made by Democratic Senator Bernie Sanders.
'Congress has the exclusive right to declare war on Iran. The ongoing war between Israel and Iran is not our war. Even if it were, Congress should decide such matters in accordance with our Constitution,' he said.
The next 24-48 hours will be crucial in determining whether a diplomatic resolution to the conflict with Iran is possible or if the US will have to resort to military action, reported ABC News citing American officials.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration still believes that Iran can return to the negotiating table and reach an agreement that would require the country to completely abandon uranium enrichment.
If this happens, negotiations involving Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff and possibly US Vice President J.D. Vance could take place as early as this week.
Meanwhile, Donald Trump significantly ramped up his rhetoric against the Iranian regime before the meeting, stating that the US knows exactly where Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is hiding, warning that 'patience is running out,' and demanding 'unconditional surrender.'
Sources familiar with the president's mindset reported that he is frustrated by destabilized Iran's inability to provide the administration with immediate answers and appears extremely reluctant to allow a situation where it seems Tehran successfully exposed his military bluff. The American military is already deploying forces to the region, including sending additional aircraft and a second aircraft carrier with its strike group to the Middle East. All these steps are defensive in nature, officials say.
'We are strong, we are ready, we are defensive and present,' said Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth about the US position in the Middle East in an interview with Fox News on Monday. Although the redeployment of weaponry is aimed at protecting the 40,000 American troops stationed in the region, it also leaves options open for the Trump administration to directly assist Israel's ongoing offensive operation against Iran.
Iran has prepared missiles to strike American bases in the Middle East if the US enters the war, reported The New York Times citing American officials familiar with intelligence data.
This was confirmed by two Iranian officials, stating that the republic will attack American bases in the Middle East, starting with bases in Iraq, if the US joins Israel's war.
Other sources in the publication stated that in the event of an attack, Iran may begin mining the Strait of Hormuz, intending to block American warships in the Persian Gulf.
Among American officials, as NYT writes, there are growing concerns about a larger-scale war. They believe that if the US enters it and strikes a key Iranian nuclear facility in Fordo, the Iran-backed Yemeni Houthi militia is likely to resume attacks on ships in the Red Sea.
Meanwhile, Israel stated that on the night of June 18, more than 50 Israeli fighter jets carried out a series of strikes on military targets in the Tehran area. In particular, a strike was made on a facility in Tehran where centrifuges were produced, intended for 'expanding the scale and pace of uranium enrichment for the development of nuclear weapons.'
Iran overnight launched two missile strikes on Israeli territory, the medical service 'Magen David Adom' reported that there were no casualties.
Photo: AFP