If nuclear talks falter, Trump says he’ll be ‘leading the pack’ to war with Iran
President Donald Trump has expressed his preference for a diplomatic solution to prevent Iran’s progression towards a nuclear weapon, but he has made it clear that he will not hesitate to lead the charge to war if negotiations fail. In an interview with Time Magazine, Trump stated that he believes a deal can be reached with Iran, but criticized President Joe Biden for allowing Iran to become wealthy.
When asked about the possibility of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dragging him into a war with Iran, Trump confidently stated that he would not be unwillingly dragged into a conflict. He emphasized that if a deal cannot be reached through negotiations, he would willingly lead the pack in taking military action against Iran.
Regarding reports that he had prevented Netanyahu from striking Iran after a recent meeting, Trump clarified that while he did not stop them, he did not make it easy for them either. He expressed his preference for a peaceful resolution through negotiations rather than resorting to military intervention, but acknowledged that ultimately the choice would be left to Israel.
A team of U.S. officials is scheduled to meet with Iranian counterparts in Oman to continue discussions aimed at halting Iran’s nuclear advancements. Trump has made it clear that Iran possessing a nuclear weapon is a red line that cannot be crossed. Iran’s recent enrichment of uranium to 60% is a concerning development, as it is just below the 90% threshold required for weaponization.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has suggested that Iran could potentially use a limited amount of low-level enriched uranium for civilian purposes, but it would need to be imported. Netanyahu reportedly told Trump during a phone call that he does not rule out a diplomatic approach to Iran, as long as it effectively eliminates Iran’s nuclear program.
Looking ahead, Trump is optimistic about brokering a normalization deal between Israel and Saudi Arabia during his upcoming trip to the Middle East. He believes that Saudi Arabia will eventually join the Abraham Accords, leading to full normalization between the two countries.
In conclusion, while Trump may prefer a diplomatic solution to the Iran nuclear issue, he remains prepared to take decisive action if necessary. The upcoming negotiations in Oman will be crucial in determining the path forward in preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
