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The US president has said Israel would be the “leader” of a potential bombing campaign if talks with Tehran collapse
US President Donald Trump has said he has a deadline in mind for reaching a deal with Tehran over its nuclear program, stating that he would “absolutely” consider military action if negotiations fail.
The two countries are set to engage in talks in Oman on Saturday, initiated by Trump, to address concerns over Iran’s nuclear ambitions. The US president has claimed that the discussions will be direct, while Tehran insists they will remain indirect, saying Washington cannot be trusted.
Asked whether he expects “something definitive” to emerge from the meeting, Trump told reporters at the White House on Wednesday that he views the Oman talks as the beginning of a process, while confirming that he has a specific deadline in mind.
“It’s a start. We have a little time, but we don’t have much time. Because we’re not going to let them have a nuclear weapon,” Trump said. “When you start talks, you know if they’re going along well or not. And I would say the conclusion would be when I think they’re not going along well. So that’s just a feeling.”
Earlier this week, Trump warned it would “be a very bad day for Iran” if the negotiations collapse. Asked by reporters whether this means he is willing to use force, the president made his position clear.
Oh, if necessary? Absolutely… With Iran, yeah, if it requires military, we’re going to have military… Israel will obviously be very much involved in that – they’ll be the leader of that.
During his first term, Trump unilaterally withdrew from the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) – a multinational agreement aimed at limiting Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief.
Since returning to office in January, he has reinstated his ‘maximum pressure’ policy, accusing Tehran of seeking to develop a nuclear weapon and imposing new sanctions targeting Iran’s oil sector.
In early March, Trump revealed that he had sent a letter to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, proposing renewed negotiations. He warned that if Tehran rejected the offer, it could face military action “the likes of which it has never seen.”
Iran maintains that its nuclear program is peaceful and has denounced the US sanctions as illegal and unjustified. Iranian officials have said the country is prepared to respond to any aggression and has reportedly placed the military on high alert.
Speaking at a National Nuclear Technology Day ceremony on Wednesday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi would deliver Khamenei’s instructions during the Oman talks.
“As the Supreme Leader has stated, the Islamic Republic is ready for engagement… but this engagement must be indirect, dignified, and accompanied by clear guarantees, because we still do not trust the other side,” a press release from the president’s office reads.
