The United States now appears at the cusp of a development scarcely conceivable just days ago: direct involvement in bombing Iran. What is Donald Trump doing? Iran strategists differ on some details but share one broad assessment of what the U.

President Donald Trump recently blocked an Israeli plan to assassinate Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to two US officials who spoke to Reuters. The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity,

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.

Two officials said the Israelis reported that they had an opportunity to kill the top Iranian leader, but Trump waved them off of the plan.