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.

"As long as I think there is an agreement, I don't want them going in, because I think that would blow it," Trump said of U.S.-Iran negotiations.

Tehran has asked Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Oman to press U.S. President Donald Trump to use his influence on Israel to agree to an immediate ceasefire with Iran in return for Tehran's flexibility in nuclear negotiations,