In a statement made by President Donald Trump in Washington, he highlighted Israel’s potential role in leading a military strike against Iran should Tehran refuse to abandon its nuclear weapons program. This assertion comes as the U.S. and Iranian officials prepare for discussions in the Middle East sultanate of Oman scheduled for the upcoming weekend. Trump previously referred to these discussions as “direct,” contrasting with Iran’s description of them as “indirect” interactions with the United States.
Trump emphasized, “If it requires military, we’re going to have military,” underscoring that Israel would play a central role in any military action. “Israel will obviously be very much involved in that,” he added, while also stating that “nobody leads us, but we do what we want to do.” Recognizing the diplomatic avenues being pursued, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed support for Trump’s initiatives to settle disputes with Iran. He noted that both Israel and the U.S. are aligned in their goal to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
Still, Netanyahu has shared his hawkish stance, particularly in the past when he swayed Trump to exit a U.S.-brokered nuclear deal with Iran in 2018. The Israeli leader welcomed the idea of a diplomatic agreement akin to Libya’s disarmament deal in 2003, where Libya renounced its nuclear ambitions, though Iran remains committed to continuing its nuclear program as acknowledged by the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Netanyahu declared, “I think that would be a good thing,” while emphasizing the necessity for ensuring that Iran cannot develop nuclear weapons. The increasing apprehension from the United States centers around Iran’s advancing proximity to possessing a functional nuclear weapon. Despite this, Trump cited no precise timeline for reaching a resolution with Iran. “When you start talks, you know, if they’re going along well or not,” Trump commented, suggesting a belief that the negotiations may not be progressing favorably.
The backdrop to these developments features the 2015 nuclear agreement between Iran and global powers, which imposed restrictions on Tehran’s uranium enrichment in return for lifting economic sanctions. Trump’s withdrawal from this treaty in 2018 followed his characterization of it as the “worst deal ever.” Subsequent indirect negotiations between Iran and the U.S., attempted by President Joe Biden’s administration in Vienna in 2021, failed to restore the agreement, while talks with other European nations have also stalled without reaching consensus.
Adding pressure, the U.S. Treasury Department recently announced new sanctions infringing upon Iran’s nuclear activities. These new sanctions have been levied against five Iranian entities and one individual, highlighting their contributions to Iran’s nuclear advancement. Among the designated organizations are the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran and several of its subsidiaries.
From Trump’s perspective, the goal remains straightforward: “I want Iran to be great,” he said, cautioning, “The only thing that they can’t have is a nuclear weapon. They understand that.” On the other hand, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian reiterated his country’s stance against pursuing nuclear armaments and offered potential for American investment in Iran, should a deal be reached.
Pezeshkian’s remarks mark a significant shift from Iran’s position following the 2015 nuclear agreement, during which Tehran expressed interest in acquiring American aircraft while effectively hindering U.S. businesses from establishing in Iran. Inviting American investors, Pezeshkian stated, “His excellency has no opposition to investment by American investors in Iran,” referring to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. “American investors: Come and invest.”