Israel-Iran conflict continues as Trump warns Iran while U.S. involvement in question

The Middle East conflict intensifies as Israel and Iran exchange strikes on the sixth consecutive day.

Lee Eun-hee has the latest.

A new wave of strikes has shaken cities in both Israel and Iran as the conflict between the two countries enters its sixth day.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday called for Iran's "unconditional surrender," declaring that the U.S now holds "complete and total control of the skies over Iran."

He also said that Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is "an easy target," and that America's "patience is wearing thin."

Not backing down, Iran's supreme leader posted on social media early Wednesday, declaring to Israel that "The battle begins."

Following his warning to Iran, the U.S. President held a National Security Council meeting in Washington after abruptly leaving the G7 summit a day early on Monday.

The White House has yet to provide an official statement following the 80-minute meeting, but CNN reports that officials familiar with the discussions say Trump is weighing options and growing more open to using U.S. military assets to strike Iranian nuclear facilities and that he spoke by phone with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Amid the possibility of change in Trump's approach, sources say he is still open to a diplomatic solution if Iran is willing to make concessions.

According to Reuters, meanwhile, fighter aircraft have been deployed to the Middle East already, although U.S. military officials have emphasized their defensive nature.

So far, Washington's involvement in the conflict has remained defensive, supporting Israel by helping intercept Iranian missile attacks.

The pressing question is whether the United States will intervene in the Israel-Iran conflict with military support or push for a diplomatic resolution, as civilians flee and the death toll continues to rise.

According to Iranian state media, more than 2-hundred-20 people have been killed since Israel began bombing Iran on Friday.

Iranian attacks on Israel have resulted in at least 24 deaths.

Lee Eun-hee, Arirang News.