Trump urges Iran to agree to a nuclear deal as Israeli strikes escalate the conflict and kill leaders
As Israeli warplanes pounded Iranian military targets, Donald Trump issued a stark warning to Tehran: agree to a nuclear deal before “there’s nothing left.” Speaking to CNN on Friday, the US President described Israel’s strikes as “very successful” and declared full American support for its closest Middle East ally.
Trump’s message was clear and uncompromising. “They should now come to the table to make a deal before it’s too late. It will be too late for them. You know, the people I was dealing with are dead, the hardliners,” he said, though he did not specify who he meant.
The President revealed he had issued Iran a 60-day ultimatum — a deadline that expired on Friday — to reach a nuclear agreement or face consequences. With that window now closed, Trump suggested that Tehran’s leadership had already paid a heavy price, adding ominously: “There has already been great death and destruction, but there is still time to make this slaughter… come to an end.”
Israel’s overnight assault, which targeted Iran’s nuclear infrastructure and long-range missile facilities, followed mounting tensions after Tehran announced it would ramp up its nuclear activities. The International Atomic Energy Agency recently found Iran in violation of its non-proliferation commitments, triggering concern across Western capitals.
Despite the coordinated strikes, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio insisted that Washington was not directly involved. “Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region,” Rubio clarified.
Yet, behind the scenes, Trump had been in close contact with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. White House officials confirmed the two leaders spoke several times on Thursday, including shortly before Israel launched its attacks. Though the specifics of their conversations remain undisclosed, Trump views the assault as a direct consequence of Iran failing to agree to new terms on its nuclear programme.
The US remains officially committed to diplomacy. White House envoy Steve Witkoff stands ready to meet Iranian officials in Oman, where a sixth round of nuclear talks had been scheduled for Sunday. Oman has played a key role in facilitating US-Iran discussions thus far. However, sources acknowledged that holding the talks as planned now appears increasingly unlikely.
Trump has repeatedly oscillated between threats of overwhelming force and offers of diplomacy. In one Truth Social post following the strikes, he insisted his administration remained “committed to a Diplomatic Resolution to the Iran Nuclear Issue!” But earlier this week, he warned that prospects for a deal were dimming, accusing Tehran of deliberate stalling tactics.
US officials, speaking to CNN, revealed deep concern that Israel’s military campaign could spark wider conflict across the Middle East. Embassies across the region have conducted emergency security assessments amid fears of escalating violence.
Speaking candidly on Thursday, Trump admitted he ordered US personnel to evacuate parts of the Middle East pre-emptively. “There’s a chance of massive conflict,” he told reporters. “I had the choice — do I do it or not? Doing it has its downside but it also has its upside, like you’re going to save a lot of lives if it should happen.”
While Trump maintains hope for an agreement, he acknowledged the delicate balance. “We’re fairly close to an agreement… As long as I think there is an agreement, I don’t want them going in because that would blow it. Might help it, actually, but also could blow it,” he said of Israel’s strikes.
As tensions mount, Iran faces a brutal ultimatum — yield to US demands or risk further devastation.
