 "Iran's and US' flags are seen printed on paper in this illustration taken on January 27, 2022. Reuters File")
US President Donald Trump has said that the US would “willingly” support Israel in launching a military strike against Iran if renewed nuclear deal negotiations break down, though he emphasised that he prefers to resolve the issue through diplomatic means.
In an interview with Time Magazine, reflecting on the first 100 days of his second term, Trump shared his broader views on Iran and the Middle East.
Addressing reports that he recently discouraged Israeli proposals for joint strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, Trump clarified that he didn’t explicitly block the plans, but admitted he “didn’t make it comfortable” for Israel to move forward.
“I think we can make a deal without the attack. I hope we can,” Time Magazine quoted him as saying.
He, however, acknowledged, as he has throughout the process of bringing Iran to the table for nuclear talks, that military action may be required down the line.
“I didn’t make it comfortable for them, but I didn’t say no,” Trump was quoted as saying.
“Ultimately, I was going to leave that choice to them, but I said I would much prefer a deal than bombs being dropped,” he added.
When asked if he’s concerned about being “dragged into” a war with Iran by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Trump responded that, on the contrary, he “may go in very willingly” if diplomacy falls short.
“If we don’t reach a deal, I’ll be leading the charge,” he declared.
Negotiations between Iran and the US are set to resume on Saturday in the Omani capital Muscat, where technical experts from both sides will attempt to iron out the details of a potential agreement.
The ongoing discussions are aimed at limiting Iran’s nuclear programme in return for easing the economic sanctions the US has maintained over nearly five decades of strained relations.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsNeither Washington nor Tehran has publicly commented on the decision to resume talks in Oman, though the Gulf nation has a long-standing role as a discreet mediator.
Talks held in Rome last weekend offered a neutral setting for dialogue between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff.
The latest round in Muscat comes as Iran strengthens ties with China and Russia. Araghchi held meetings with officials in Moscow last week and in Beijing earlier this week.
On Thursday, representatives from Iran, China, and Russia met with the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the UN’s nuclear oversight body.
While the IAEA did not disclose details of the meeting, China’s Xinhua news agency reported that the three countries expressed confidence in the IAEA’s “expertise and potential” to support the process, while underscoring the importance of diplomacy.
China also reiterated Iran’s “right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy.”
The Trump administration has excluded European signatories of the 2015 nuclear deal — France, Germany, and the United Kingdom — from its direct negotiations with Iran, reflecting a similar approach taken in its talks with Russia over the war in Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Araghchi suggested further discussions with the European nations, writing on X: “The ball is now in the E3’s court…How we act at this critical junction is likely to define the foreseeable future.”
With inputs from agencies