Washington was aware of West Jerusalems preemptive strike on Iran beforehand, but was not involved militarily, the president has said

The US will "defend itself and Israel" if Iran retaliates for West Jerusalem's "preemptive" strikes, President Donald Trump has told Fox News. He made the remarks in a phone call with host Bret Baier on Friday morning, according to the network.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) earlier said it struck dozens of targets across Iran, including military installations and a nuclear enrichment facility in Natanz. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the operation aimed to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

Iranian media reported that at least five people were killed and 20 injured in Tehran following the strikes. The attack came just two days before the sixth round of US-Iran nuclear talks scheduled for Sunday in Oman.

Trump told Fox News that he had spoken with Netanyahu multiple times in recent days and knew of the planned strikes in advance, adding that "there were no surprises." He stressed, however, that "the US was not involved militarily" and expressed hope that Iran would return to negotiations.

"Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb and we are hoping to get back to the negotiating table. We will see. There are several people in leadership that will not be coming back," Trumpreportedlysaid, apparently referring to Iranian officials killed in the strikes.

Iranian media identified the victims as IRGC commander Hossein Salami, Deputy Chief of Army Staff Gholam Ali Rashid, and nuclear scientists Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi and Fereydoon Abbasi.

Trump added that he is monitoring whether Iran will retaliate. The Iranian Army has said it will not tolerate Israeli "aggression" and warned that "a bitter lesson awaits Netanyahu." Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei stated on Friday morning that Israel "should expect severe punishment."

"CENTCOM is on high alert, the US will defend itself and Israel if Iran retaliates," Trump said, according to Fox News.

The White House has not commented on the phone call.

READ MORE: Iran vows severe punishment for Israeli attack

Ahead of the strikes, Trump wrote on Truth Social that the US "remain committed to a Diplomatic Resolution to the Iran Nuclear Issue."

"My entire Administration has been directed to negotiate with Iran. They could be a Great Country, but they first must completely give up hopes of obtaining a Nuclear Weapon," he posted on Thursday night.

(RT.com)