President Donald Trump is desperate not to fight a war with Iran. But can he really avoid it? Compelling national security arguments and domestic political considerations mean it makes sense to stop short of direct US offensive operations in the long-dreaded conflict that Israel describes as a matter of preserving its own existence.

"The full strength and might of the U.S. Armed Forces will come down on you at levels never seen before," Trump warned.

President Trump has called on Iran and Israel "to make a deal" that ends the war between the two countries. Why it matters: The Trump administration has so far distanced itself from Israel's operation and argued that it would be illegitimate for Iran to retaliate by striking U.