The US president claimed that Israel would be the \u201cleader\u201d of a potential bombing campaign if talks with Tehran collapse<\/p>\n\n\n\n
US President Donald Trump has said he has a specific deadline in mind for reaching a deal with Tehran over its nuclear program, and confirmed he would \u201cabsolutely\u201d consider military action if negotiations fail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The two countries are set to engage in talks in Oman on Saturday, initiated by Trump, to address concerns over Iran\u2019s nuclear ambitions. The US president claimed the discussions will be direct, while Tehran insisted they will remain indirect, saying Washington cannot be trusted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Asked whether he expects \u201csomething definitive\u201d 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 he has a specific deadline in mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a start. We have a little time, but we don\u2019t have much time. Because we\u2019re not gonna let them have a nuclear weapon,\u201d Trump said. \u201cWhen you start talks, you know if they\u2019re going along well or not. And I would say the conclusion would be when I think they\u2019re not going along well. So that\u2019s just a feeling.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Earlier this week, Trump warned Iran of a \u201cgreat danger\u201d and a \u201cvery bad day\u201d if the negotiations collapse. Asked by reporters whether that signaled a willingness to use force, the president made his position clear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Oh, if necessary? Absolutely!.. With Iran, yeah, if it requires military, we\u2019re going to have military\u2026 Israel will obviously be very much involved in that \u2013 they\u2019ll be the leader of that.<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n During his first term, Trump unilaterally withdrew from the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) \u2013 a multinational agreement aimed at limiting Iran\u2019s nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief. Since returning to office in January, he has reinstated his \u201cmaximum pressure\u201d policy, accusing Tehran of seeking to develop a nuclear weapon and imposing new sanctions targeting Iran\u2019s oil sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In early March, Trump revealed he had sent a letter to Iran\u2019s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei proposing renewed negotiations. He warned that if Tehran rejected the offer, it could face military strikes \u201cthe likes of which it has never seen.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Iran maintains that its nuclear program is peaceful and has repeatedly denounced US sanctions as illegal and unjustified. Iranian officials have stated the country is prepared to respond to any aggression and has reportedly placed the military on high alert.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Speaking at a National Nuclear Technology Day ceremony on Wednesday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi would deliver Khamenei\u2019s instructions during the Oman talks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAs the Supreme Leader has stated, the Islamic Republic is ready for engagement \u2026 but this engagement must be indirect, dignified, and accompanied by clear guarantees, because we still do not trust the other side,\u201d a press release from the president\u2019s office stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n