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.

What we are seeing now is the rhetoric — and the wisdom — of “America First” become reality in the skies over Tehran.

Iranian officials have warned that U.S. participation in an attack on its facilities will imperil any chance of the nuclear disarmament deal the president insists he is still interested in pursuing.

Iran fired a new wave of missile attacks on Israel early Monday, triggering air raid sirens across the country as emergency services reported at least five killed and dozens more wounded in the fourth day of a conflict between the regional foes that showed no sign of slowing.

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.

"Israel is being assisted this way or that way by some Iranians," ex-Israeli National Security chief Giora Eiland told Newsweek.

Amid escalating conflict between Israel and Iran, the U.S. is bolstering its military presence in the Middle East. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth announced deployments to protect American troops, including refuelling aircraft and the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier.

Foreign ministers of European countries have urged their Iranian counterpart to continue the nuclear deal talks with the United States.