Iran launched dozens of ballistic missiles toward Israel on Friday night in retaliation for Israel's surprise attack early Friday. Israel struck at the heart of the Iran's nuclear program, killing several nuclear scientists as well as high-ranking military leaders, according to Israeli officials.

Trump in recent days pushed Israeli officials away from a plan to kill Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, unnamed U.S. officials told Reuters and the Associated Press. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Forbes concerning the report.

By Jeff Mason WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Despite evidence that the conflict between Israel and Iran is escalating, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed optimism on Sunday that peace would come soon and cited the possibility that Russia's Vladimir Putin could help.

President Donald Trump told ABC News that "it's possible we could get involved" in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran. The president made the comments to ABC News' Rachel Scott. He also reiterated that the U.S. is "not at this moment involved" in the conflict.

President Donald Trump discouraged Israel from trying to kill Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, after Israeli officials said they had an opportunity, Reuters reported, citing two US officials.