God spared you for this moment, Israel ambassador tells Trump
The US ambassador to Israel told Donald Trump that God saved him from assassination so he could deal with the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel.
'God spared you in Butler, PA, to be the most consequential president in a century – maybe ever,' Mike Huckabee wrote in a private text message published by the US president on social media. 'You did not seek this moment. This moment sought YOU!'
Likening the stakes to the US decision to drop nuclear bombs on Japan in the Second World War, he told Mr Trump 'only' to listen to God when it comes to making his next choices.
He said: 'I believe you will hear from heaven and that voice is far more important than mine or ANYONE else's.'
The exchange of fire between Israel and Iran has spread into six days of bombardment and threatened to ensnare the US, even though Mr Trump campaigned for a return to the White House as someone who could bring peace to various conflicts.
The US has not been involved in any of the attacks on Iran, which have killed a reported 224 civilians, with Israel focusing its strikes on military targets and the facilities of its nuclear programme.
Iran has struck back with hundreds of ballistic missiles, killing 24 people and injuring more than 647. The US helped Israel shoot down some of those missiles.
The US had for several months been talking to Iran to broker a deal that could seek to control its desire to have a nuclear weapon.
In 2018, Mr Trump unilaterally withdrew the US from a multi-party agreement that saw Iran agree to more checks on its nuclear program in exchange for a loosening of sanctions.
The decision left the US scrambling for something to fill its place, much to the consternation of Israeli leaders such as Benjamin Netanyahu, the prime minister, who have argued that Israel cannot permit Iran to possess a nuclear weapon. Mr Trump has long shared that view.
The shifting situation on the ground has created a headache for the president, who has repeatedly insisted he did not want the US involved in another war in the Middle East.
Many high-profile supporters, such as Tucker Carlson, hold the view that it is not in America's interest to get involved militarily.
Even among Mr Trump's Maga base, there are striking differences on whether the US should aid Israel or remain at arms length.
On Monday evening, Mr Trump, 79, cut short a visit to the G7 summit in Canada, where he had been speaking to foreign leaders on the best way to proceed, and returned to the White House.
It is understood he is gearing up to meet with a number of advisers in the situation room on Tuesday, as they weigh up how to approach the escalating Middle East situation.
On social media, the president dismissed reports he had been working towards a ceasefire and said he was seeking something 'much bigger than that'.
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