US Secretary of state Marco Rubio said Thursday the US had no involvement in Israel’s strikes on Iran but had been told that Israel considered the attack necessary forself-defence. US President Trump was hosting the annual White House picnic on Thursday evening when reports of the strikes emerged from Tehran. “We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region,” Rubio said, adding, “Let me be clear: Iran should not target US interests or personnel.” It was not immediately clear how much detail about the strikes Israel had provided the US, and how far in advance.