Trump Stresses Potential for Iran Deal Post-Israeli Strike
In Washington, President Trump expressed on Friday that he remains hopeful about renegotiating a nuclear deal with Iran, even after a significant Israeli military operation against the country earlier the same day.
“Maybe they’ll negotiate seriously now,” he remarked in a brief chat with Axios, just before speaking with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and holding a full day of discussions with his national security team.
Trump elaborated, stating, “They should have made a deal. I couldn’t get them to the table in 60 days. They were close, and they should have done it. Maybe it will happen now.”
This Israeli assault occurred just days before a sixth round of indirect negotiations was set to take place between U.S. envoy Steve Witkov and Iranian representatives.
A White House source commented on the situation, noting that “participation is the best form of persuasion.”
Despite the ongoing conflict, Trump, 78, took to social media, indicating that Iran still might be open to negotiations despite the devastating consequences of the attacks. “We’ve already seen significant loss and devastation, but there’s still a chance to stop the bloodshed. The next attack could be even more devastating,” he tweeted early on Friday.
Trump added, “Iran needs to reach an agreement before it’s too late, to preserve what was once the Iranian Empire.”
Earlier on Friday, Trump shared in a phone call that Israel “always knew when to strike” if a timely agreement wasn’t achieved. “I gave them 60 days, and they didn’t see the urgency. Today is day 61, as you know,” he noted.
As of now, Iran hasn’t indicated any willingness to consider a deal that would limit its nuclear ambitions, which is what the U.S. wants.
That evening, Tehran retaliated by launching at least 150 ballistic missiles into Israel, resulting in injuries to at least 15 individuals and damage in central Tel Aviv.
Iranian leader Ayatollah Khomeini, in a televised address, warned, “The Zionist regime has made a grave mistake with this reckless act. By God’s grace, this will lead to their downfall.”
Khomeini asserted that Iran would not permit the sacrifices of its martyrs to be in vain, threatening further actions in response to any violations of airspace.
Netanyahu countered with his own speech, directed at the Iranian populace, stressing the recent losses sustained by Iran, including key military figures and nuclear facilities.
“In the last 24 hours, we have taken out major military commanders, senior nuclear scientists, and essential sites related to their missile capabilities,” he stated. “The Iranian administration will be blindsided by their next challenges.”
