The US president today admitted he may open negotiations with Iran to end the offensive launched with Israel, but stressed that such a scenario “depends on the terms” proposed by Tehran.
In an interview with Fox News, Donald Trump said he had heard that the Iranian government is “very interested in talking,” adding that opening a diplomatic channel is possible, though he stopped short of making an immediate commitment.
“It’s possible. It depends on the terms,” Trump said, adding that Washington “no longer necessarily needs to talk,” while not ruling out contacts with Iranian officials.
The US president defended the joint military offensive with Israel, describing it as an operation that “far exceeded expectations” and destroyed around 50% of Iran’s missile arsenal.
Trump justified the decision to strike first, claiming that had the United States waited a few days, they could have been the target of an Iranian attack.
The US president also reiterated that Washington believes Tehran was close to obtaining nuclear weapons, citing information conveyed by special envoy Steve Witkoff and adviser Jared Kushner, according to which Iran had sufficient enriched uranium to manufacture up to 11 bombs.
Read more about this topic: Iran War: conflict will last until Iran’s “unconditional surrender,” says Donald Trump
Tehran has consistently denied seeking to develop nuclear weapons — a position also maintained by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which states there is no evidence of an active military nuclear programme.
Trump also expressed criticism of the selection of Mojtaba Khamenei as Iran’s new supreme leader following the death of his father, Ali Khamenei, during strikes carried out by US and Israeli forces.
