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By Gabe Whisnant
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President Donald Trump said the biggest surprise as the United States and Israel carry out strikes against Iran has been Tehran’s attacks on Arab countries, including Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, which he said drew them into a conflict they had initially sought to avoid.
Speaking to CNN's Jake Tapper, Trump said the Arab governments had expected the U.S. to handle the situation and were not planning to play a major role. “We were surprised,” he said Monday morning, adding that those countries are now “aggressively fighting” after being targeted.
“They were going to be very little involved and now they insist on being involved,” he said.
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Trump said he knows the region’s leaders well and described them as “tough and smart,” but said Iran’s actions, including strikes that he said hit civilian locations such as hotels and apartment buildings, angered them.
“They love us, but they were watching,” he said. “There was no reason for them to be involved.”
Trump said Iran’s long‑standing nuclear ambitions have loomed over the region for years, creating instability and fear. “They were living under that dark cloud for years,” he said. “That’s why you could never have peace.”
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Why Did the US and Israel Attack Iran?
The United States and Israel say their strikes on Iran were aimed at degrading Tehran’s nuclear and missile programs, which both governments argue posed an imminent threat to regional security. Trump said Iran had rejected opportunities to curb its nuclear ambitions, while U.S. officials said the attacks were intended to eliminate what they described as growing dangers to American forces and allies in the Middle East.
U.S. and Israeli officials have also said the campaign targeted missile launchers, storage sites and military infrastructure used by Iran and its allies. Iran denies seeking nuclear weapons, but Western governments have long viewed its nuclear and ballistic missile programs as destabilizing, particularly amid escalating tensions and retaliatory strikes across the region.
The U.S. military on Monday announced the deaths of two additional American service members during operations against Iran, bringing the total number of U.S. fatalities to six.
U.S. Central Command said in a post on X that the remains of two previously unaccounted-for service members were recently recovered from a facility struck during Iran’s initial attacks in the region. The military did not say where the service members were killed and said their identities would be withheld until 24 hours after their families are notified.
At least 555 people have been killed in Iran since the start of the U.S.-Israeli campaign, according to the Iranian Red Crescent Society, which said attacks have hit more than 130 cities nationwide. Israeli authorities reported 11 deaths in Israel, while officials in Lebanon said 31 people have been killed there.
How Many Missiles Does Iran Have?
Iran is widely assessed to have the largest ballistic missile arsenal in the Middle East, though exact numbers are unclear. U.S. military officials have previously estimated Iran possessed approximately 2,500 ballistic missiles, though analysts say that stockpile has been reduced by recent strikes and missile launches, with Israeli officials estimating Iran may now have closer to 1,500 remaining.
The arsenal includes short‑ and medium‑range missiles capable of reaching Israel and U.S. military bases across the Gulf. Iran says its missile program is defensive, but Western intelligence agencies view the weapons as a central element of Tehran’s deterrence strategy and a potential delivery system should Iran ever pursue a nuclear warhead.
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What Is a Sukhoi Su‑24, and Does Iran Have Them?
The Sukhoi Su‑24 is a Russian‑made, supersonic fighter‑bomber designed for low‑altitude, all‑weather strike missions. Introduced during the Soviet era, the aircraft can carry a range of conventional munitions and has been used by multiple countries for ground‑attack operations.
Iran operates Su‑24 aircraft as part of its air force, including jets acquired from Iraq during the 1991 Gulf War and others maintained through domestic upgrades. The aircraft remain part of Iran’s aging but operational fleet, though military analysts say their effectiveness is limited against modern air‑defense systems.
This article includes reporting by the Associated Press.
Update 3/2/26, 5:03 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
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