Shapiro served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Middle East until January—charged with, among other things, considering scenarios in which tensions between Israel and Iran escalated into all-out war and preparing U.

Hundreds of civilians, mostly in Iran, have been killed by dueling airstrikes despite international pleas for de-escalation.

The president had opposed Israeli action against Iran but came to believe that Israel had reason to act and that the U.S. would have to lend some support.

President Donald Trump said the United will come down on Iran “at levels never seen before” if the Middle Eastern country attacks.

Former Vice President Mike Pence said on “State of the Union” Sunday that if Israel’s attack doesn’t somehow convince Iran to make major concessions in Trump’s diplomatic attempt to end its nuclear program, then the United States should be prepared to join the conflict.

Amid spiralling war in West Asia, the US Air Force has moved dozens of refuelling tankers to Europe to support potential operations against Iran. Here are various scenarios that these tankers could be used in the Israel-Iran war.

President Donald Trump warned that "it's possible" that the United States "could get involved" in the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict if it continues to escalate during an exclusive interview with ABC News' Rachel Scott on Sunday (June 15).

While the U.S. insists it is not involved in strikes on Iran, American officials have confirmed military forces have been helping to intercept Iranian missiles fired at Israel.

Iran has vowed to retaliate against the U.S., too, while Trump has warned: “If we are attacked in any way, shape, or form by Iran, the full strength and might of the U.S. Armed Forces will come down on you at levels never seen before.” Here’s what to know about U.S. involvement so far.

Despite stunning early successes in Israel’s unprecedented strikes on Iran, a weekend of intensive bombardment and retaliation is raising questions about Israel’s exit strategy – how it can end this conflict with its ambitious goals achieved.

During the 1980-1988 Iran-Iraq War, Iran’s US-made F-14 Tomcat fighters were a crucial asset, using their powerful AWG-9 radar and long-range AIM-54 Phoenix missiles to achieve air superiority, intercept Iraqi bombers,