Politics ( Europe Brief News): Donald Trump warns that an Israeli military strike against Iran could jeopardize ongoing diplomatic efforts and derail sensitive nuclear negotiations.
Amid rumors that Israeli strikes may be imminent, President Trump said Thursday he did not want Israel to hit Iran as long as a nuclear agreement with Tehran was still possible.
“As long as I think there is an agreement, I don’t want them going in because I think that would blow it. Might help it, actually. But also could blow it,”
Trump said in response to a question about whether he had tried to talk Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu out of a strike.
“But we’ve had very good discussions with Iran,”
Trump added.
“Whether or not we get there, I can’t tell you. But it will happen soon.”
Trump acknowledged several weeks ago that he has warned Netanyahu against taking any actions that could threaten ongoing talks.
“Well, I’d like to be honest. Yes, I did. Next question, please?” Trump said when asked if he had warned Netanyahu against strikes on Iran at the time.
“It’s not a warning,”
Trump said.
“I said, ‘I don’t think it’s appropriate.’ I just said I don’t think it’s appropriate. We’re having very good discussions with them, and I don’t think it’s appropriate right now.”
The possibility of a strike by Israel, nonetheless, still hangs in the air. Officials from the Trump administration announced on Wednesday that they are reducing their presence in Iraq, while Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has approved the exit of military family members from northeast Africa, the Middle East, and areas of South and Central Asia.
The reduction of U.S. diplomats in the Middle East occurs as talks between the Trump administration and Iran regarding a nuclear agreement have faltered and as Israel indicates it might conduct attacks on Tehran.
“Well, I don’t want to say imminent, but it looks like it’s something that could very well happen,”
Trump said Thursday when asked about a potential Israeli strike.
“Look, it’s very simple. Not complicated. Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. Other than that, I want them to be successful,”
he added.
Officials from the Trump administration are anticipated to gather in the next few days for another session of discussions with Iran.
In May, the president had conveyed hope that an agreement with Iran was near, but lately, he has adopted a more pessimistic tone and cautioned that Iran was becoming “more aggressive.”
How credible is Trump’s hint of an Israeli strike given recent US-Israel tensions?
Trump has openly called on Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to resolve the Gaza conflict and refrain from talking about possible strikes on Iran, highlighting US worries over rising regional tensions during delicate nuclear talks with Tehran.
This suggests a willingness from the US to steer clear of military confrontation at this time. Trump recognized the potential for an Israeli attack but highlighted that it was “not imminent” and underscored the US’s desire for a diplomatic agreement with Iran. Reports indicate that Israel may contemplate military action on its own.
Iran has cautioned about potential retaliatory attacks on US and Israeli positions if targeted, heightening tensions and complicating US negotiation efforts.
The US has implemented safety measures by evacuating non-essential personnel from its embassy in the area, showing significant worry about possible conflict intensification.
