President Trump signaled on Friday that he still sees potential for securing a new nuclear agreement with Iran, despite Israel’s massive military strike on Iranian nuclear and defense infrastructure just hours prior.
“Maybe now they will negotiate seriously,” Trump said in a short interview with Axios, which came shortly after a phone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu and ahead of a full day of meetings with his national security staff.
“They should have made a deal,” Trump continued. “I couldn’t get them to a deal in 60 days. They were close, they should have done it. Maybe now it will happen.”
Israel’s surprise operation came just before the anticipated sixth round of indirect nuclear negotiations between the U.S., represented by special Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, and Iranian representatives.
“Oftentimes,” a source close to the White House told The NY Post about the administration’s stance, “pain is the best form of persuasion.”
When asked by Axios about how the United States might proceed, Netanyahu responded, “What are they going to do now? I leave it to President Trump. He made clear that Iran must not have a nuclear weapon.”
“I leave the US position to the US,” Netanyahu repeated.
Posting on Truth Social, Trump, 78, expressed continued optimism that Iran might come back to the table, even in the wake of the severe blow dealt by Israel.
“There has already been great death and destruction, but there is still time to make this slaughter, with the next already planned attacks being more brutal, come to an end,” Trump posted early Friday.
“Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left, and save what was once known as the Iranian empire.”
In a separate phone interview with The Post on Friday morning, Trump said he had anticipated this timing for Israel’s move.
“I always knew the date,” he said. “I gave them 60 days and they didn’t meet it. Today’s [day] 61, you know. Today’s day 61.”
Despite mounting international pressure, Iran has not indicated any willingness to accept a deal limiting its nuclear ambitions, even under the guise of civilian energy development.
Later Friday, Iran retaliated with a barrage of over 150 ballistic missiles aimed at Israel, wounding at least 15 people and causing significant damage in central Tel Aviv.
“The Zionist regime has made a big mistake, a grave error, committed a reckless act. By God’s grace, the consequences of this will bring that regime to ruin,” Ayatollah Khomeini declared in a broadcast speech.
“The Iranian nation won’t permit the blood of its valued martyrs to go unavenged, nor will it ignore the violation of its airspace,” he continued.
In an address aimed directly at the Iranian population, Netanyahu outlined the extent of Israel’s assault and warned of further action.
“In the past 24 hours, we’ve taken out top military commanders, senior nuclear scientists, the Islamic regime’s most significant enrichment facility, and a large portion of its ballistic missile arsenal. More is on the way.
“The regime doesn’t know what hit them,” Netanyahu added. “They don’t know what will hit them.”
{Matzav.com}