President Donald Trump is convening a National Security Council meeting on Friday morning in the White House Situation Room following Israeli airstrikes on Iran that have heightened tensions across the Middle East.

Earlier that morning, Trump posted on Truth Social, warning that Israel’s forthcoming strikes on Iran would be “even more brutal,” adding pressure on Tehran to agree to a deal on its nuclear program.

“There has already been great death and destruction, but there is still time to make this slaughter, with the next already planned attacks being even more brutal, come to an end. Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left, and save what was once known as the Iranian Empire. No more death, no more destruction, JUST DO IT, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE,” Trump wrote.

Trump claimed he had cautioned Iran, stating that “the United States makes the best and most lethal military equipment anywhere in the World, BY FAR, and that Israel has a lot of it, with much more to come – And they know how to use it. Certain Iranian hardliner’s spoke bravely, but they didn’t know what was about to happen. They are all DEAD now, and it will only get worse!”

Another round of nuclear talks between the U.S. and Iran is set to take place this weekend in Muscat, Oman. However, the two nations remain at odds over whether Iran should be allowed to enrich uranium, even for peaceful, civilian energy purposes.

Given the recent escalation, it is uncertain whether those negotiations will proceed. Trump had previously urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to pursue dialogue before launching any military action.

“I think it would blow it,” Trump remarked Thursday when asked whether an early Israeli strike could derail talks. However, he also speculated it “might help it actually, but it also could blow it.”

After the airstrikes, Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that the United States had no role in the operation and called on Iran not to retaliate against American facilities. The U.S. had already pulled non-essential embassy staff out of Iraq in anticipation of potential hostilities.

On Friday morning, Iran responded by launching roughly 100 drones toward Israel in a counterstrike, though Israeli defenses successfully intercepted them.

Prime Minister Netanyahu revealed that Israeli forces targeted the Natanz nuclear facility, a key component of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.

High-profile casualties from the Israeli offensive included General Hossein Salami, commander-in-chief of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC); Major General Mohammad Bagheri, the IRGC’s chief of staff and top military officer; and most of the IRGC air force leadership, who were reportedly meeting in an underground bunker at the time of the strike.

According to the IDF, the initial wave of attacks hit over 100 targets, with 200 Israeli fighter jets deploying “330 different munitions,” and the operation is expected to continue for several more days.

In an interview with Fox News chief political anchor Bret Baier, Trump acknowledged he had prior knowledge of Israel’s plan to strike.

“I just spoke to President Trump. One thing the president was aware of Israel’s action before it happened. He gave me a quote. He said: ‘Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb. We’re hoping to get back to the negotiating table.’ The President is looking to see if there is retaliation… the US will defend itself and Israel if Iran retaliates,” Baier reported.

The Israeli strikes reportedly killed three of Iran’s top military commanders: Hossein Salami, Mohammad Hossein Bagheri, and Gholam-Ali Rashid, head of Iran’s Emergency Command.

Trump indicated he is closely monitoring for any retaliation, and U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) is currently on high alert.

He reaffirmed that the U.S. stands ready to defend both itself and Israel should Iran choose to retaliate. In recent weeks, the U.S. has replenished its stockpile of Iron Dome interceptors.