Trump Urges Iran to Negotiate Amidst Israeli Strikes

In a public statement, President Trump criticized Iran for not accepting earlier negotiation offers regarding nuclear deals. He insisted on the importance of resuming talks after Israeli military actions and warned of severe consequences for Iran if negotiations fail to proceed.

President Trump made his first public remarks concerning the recent Israeli strikes on Iranian targets, arguing that Tehran has brought destruction upon itself through its failure to heed diplomatic offers. Notably referencing a proposal from two weeks ago aimed at curtailing Iran's uranium enrichment, Trump issued a stern message on his social media platform Truth Social, urging Iran to negotiate before facing irrevocable consequences.

“I gave Iran chance after chance to make a deal,” Trump stated, expressing frustration over their inability to finalize an agreement, and encouraged the nation to act swiftly, declaring, “JUST DO IT, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE.” His comments surfaced just as the U.S. and Iranian negotiators were slated to meet in Oman for further discussions, which are now uncertain due to heightened tensions after the Israeli military action.

Trump reportedly advised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to refrain from military action in hopes of a diplomatic resolution, although he later suggested that such attacks might inadvertently strengthen U.S. negotiating leverage. Along with cautioning Iran against inaction, Trump claimed that internal dissent among Iranian leadership regarding the negotiations had escalated, as evidenced by the loss of significant military figures during the strikes.

This situation comes in light of Trump’s previous withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, the 2015 nuclear deal initiated by the Obama administration. The original agreement facilitated limited nuclear activity under stringent conditions, a point Trump had denounced as unfavorable. Now, with diplomatic pathways obstructed, Trump's administration continues to negotiate with a backdrop of escalating military actions, casting future discussions into uncertainty as both nations navigate the throes of geopolitical conflict.