US officials insisted the US remained in “defensive” posture in the Middle East after Donald Trump announced he would leaving the G7 summit in Canada to deal with the conflict between Israel and Iran.
Trump’s change of plans ignited speculation that the US might be preparing to join Israel in its attacks against Iran, but top officials in his administration denied any imminent shift.
“American forces are maintaining their defensive posture, and that has not changed,” Alex Pfeiffer, principal deputy communications director, wrote on X, denying a report that the US was participating in strikes against Iran.
On Monday evening, Pete Hegseth, US defence secretary, said on Fox News: “We are postured defensively in the region to be strong in pursuit of a peace deal, and we certainly hope that’s what happens here”.