President Donald Trump is desperate not to fight a war with Iran. But can he really avoid it? Compelling national security arguments and domestic political considerations mean it makes sense to stop short of direct US offensive operations in the long-dreaded conflict that Israel describes as a matter of preserving its own existence.

The "America First" president praised his foreign policy record on Sunday while urging a deal between Iran and Israel amid escalating strikes.

Trump swept into office hoping to be a peacemaker. Five months in, a new conflict is roiling the Middle East, with no end in sight to the war in Ukraine.