Israel-Iranian missile exchanges prompt Trump to call for immediate negotiations "before it's too late," revealing divisions among Republicans and Democrats on Middle East policy

After canceling negotiations with the U.S. scheduled for Sunday, Tehran has signaled it is willing to talk.

The president had opposed Israeli action against Iran but came to believe that Israel had reason to act and that the U.S. would have to lend some support.

Israeli forces stepped up bombing of Iranian cities, while Iran pierced Israeli air defences with a successful volleys of retaliatory missile strikes.

Israel and Iran exchange airstrikes targeting military sites and nuclear facilities, with Trump comments on the conflict and expressing optimism for diplomatic resolution.

Tehran has asked Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Oman to press U.S. President Donald Trump to use his influence on Israel to agree to an immediate ceasefire with Iran in return for Tehran's flexibility in nuclear negotiations,

An Israeli plan to assassinate Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as part of its military offensive targeting the country's nuclear program has been privately vetoed by U.S. President Donald Trump.