Trump Administration: "Iranian Retaliation Expected… No Desire for Further Middle East Involvement"

On the 23rd (local time), CNN reported, citing a senior White House official, that the Trump Administration had anticipated retaliation from Tehran following last weekend's U.S. strike on Iran's nuclear facilities, and President Donald Trump does not wish to expand military involvement in the Middle East.

The senior White House official, who wished to remain anonymous, said, "We knew they would retaliate. The reaction was similar to when Soleimani was killed."

This refers to the 2020 incident in which Qasem Soleimani, commander of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), was killed by a U.S. airstrike.

He also stated, "Most of the missiles launched by Iran on Monday appear to have missed their targets," adding, "President Trump is willing to increase military involvement if necessary, but for now, he does not wish to do so."

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Defense of Qatar announced that it intercepted Iran's missile attack on the U.S. military base within its territory with its air defense system and there were no damages. President Trump is expected to discuss countermeasures with his national security team later this afternoon, so the administration's position may change according to these discussions.