WASHINGTON : According to White House officials, the president returned early from the Group of Seven (G7) summit in Canada to deliberate with top security advisors on the unfolding Middle East crisis. The urgent discussions come as Israel formally requested the U.S. adopt a “purely defensive posture” in support of its operations, as confirmed by Israeli Ambassador to the U.S., Yechiel Leiter.

Sources close to the administration told CNN that over 30 U.S. aerial refueling tankers have been rapidly deployed to the region. These aircraft would enable Israeli fighter jets to carry out long-range operations over Iran, should Trump authorize direct U.S. support.

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