President Donald Trump stated in an interview with Axios on Monday that he is prepared for “strong military action” if negotiations with Iran fail. He noted that he decided to suspend US strikes on Iran to give diplomacy another chance, but emphasized that he could resume military operations if the negotiations do not yield results.
Current negotiations are focused on a new agreement to restore shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and to resume discussions on a comprehensive nuclear deal. The talks primarily involve Iran and Oman, but Qatar, Pakistan, Egypt, and Trump’s envoys — Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner — are also actively participating.
Trump’s statements on the negotiations
“We are conducting very serious negotiations with Iran. If they fail, we will return to very strong military action,” Trump said in the interview. When asked how much time he is willing to give diplomacy, the president replied: “Not much time. Either it will happen quickly, or it will never happen at all.”
Trump explained that he decided to suspend the strikes on Friday because the countries acting as mediators requested that he give the negotiations another chance. “Everyone dealing with Iran asked me: ‘Do not strike,'” he said, emphasizing that, in his view, Iran wants to make a deal.
Explaining why he agreed to the mediators’ request, Trump said: “Nothing is lost and nothing is gained.” He noted that after the attacks were suspended, oil prices fell and the stock market rose.
Upcoming meeting with Netanyahu
On Tuesday, Trump will meet at the White House with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “I am going to talk to Bibi about how if I were not president, Iran would already have nuclear weapons, and Israel would be destroyed,” Trump stated.
Source: Axios
