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Mark Kimmitt, a former assistant Secretary of State speaks to Rudaw on June 17, 2025. Photo: Screengrab/Rudaw
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - A former assistant Secretary of State has warned that Washington could potentially join Israel’s military operations against Iran, especially if American assets in the region are targeted. The comments come as President Donald Trump has recently hinted that the US is seriously mulling over deeper involvement in the conflict.
In an interview with Rudaw on Tuesday, Mark Kimmitt, responded to a question about the possibility of direct US military action. “I do not think we can make that determination,” he said. “Two days ago, I would have told you no,” emphasizing the rapidly evolving nature of the situation.
Kimmkit, who served as assistant Secretary of State under former president George W. Bush from 2008 to 2009, further stated that “the United States, in many ways, is already involved in the war,” citing its role as a “major supplier of arms and ammunition,” along with “financial and intelligence support” to Israel.
On Tuesday, President Trump cut short his trip to the G7 summit in Canada amid rising tensions in the Middle East, telling reporters, “I have to be back.” The decision followed his dramatic warning to over 10 million residents in Tehran to evacuate the city, signaling the possibility of expanded military operations.
That same evening, Trump held an 80-minute meeting with his national security team in the White House Situation Room, though no immediate public statement followed. Later, however, the president made inflammatory remarks against Iran and its Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. He demanded Iran's “unconditional surrender” and, while calling Khamenei an “easy target,” clarified that there are no current plans to assassinate him.
In a post on his Arabic-language X account early Wednesday, Khamenei declared that the Islamic Republic would “never” compromise with Israel. On his Hebrew-language account, he echoed the message, saying, “We will never compromise with the Zionists,” and that “the terrorist Zionist entity must be dealt with forcefully.”
On Friday, Israel launched a wide-scale aerial assault on Iran, reportedly killing several high-ranking military commanders and nuclear scientists. The strikes targeted three of Iran’s key nuclear facilities: Natanz, Isfahan, and Fordow. In response, Iran launched waves of missile and drone attacks on Israeli territory, successfully striking several strategic sites.
The Israeli offensive occurred just two days before the sixth round of indirect nuclear talks between Iran and the United States, mediated by Oman and scheduled for Sunday in Muscat. However, Iran canceled its participation, calling the negotiations “meaningless” in light of Israel’s continued aggression.
Kimmitt told Rudaw that President Trump had given Iran a chance to return to negotiations. Should Tehran continue to reject engagement, Trump could choose to provide Israel with “key elements of air power” necessary to “complete the destruction of Iranian nuclear facilities.”
He emphasized that the United States possesses military capabilities beyond Israel’s reach. If Iran were to attack American interests, Kimmitt noted, it would be at war with Washington , independent of Israel.
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