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The US president suggested Israel would take the lead in potential bombing raids should discussions with Tehran fall through.
President Trump stated he has a specific timeframe for reaching an agreement with Iran regarding its nuclear ambitions and affirmed that military intervention is “absolutely” an option if negotiations fail.
The US and Iran are scheduled to hold talks in Oman on Saturday, initiated by Trump, to address concerns about Iran’s nuclear program. The US president said these discussions will be direct, while Iran insisted they would be indirect, expressing distrust of Washington.
When asked if he anticipates “something definitive” from the meeting, Trump told reporters at the White House that he sees the Oman talks as the start of a process and confirmed that he has a specific deadline in mind.
Earlier in March, Trump disclosed that he had sent a letter to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei proposing renewed negotiations. He cautioned that if Tehran refused, it could face military strikes “the likes of which it has never seen.”
Iran asserts that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes and has consistently condemned US sanctions as illegal and unjustified. Iranian officials have said the country is ready to retaliate against any aggression and has reportedly placed its military on high alert.
During a National Nuclear Technology Day ceremony on Wednesday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian announced that Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi would convey Khamenei’s instructions during the talks in Oman.
“As the Supreme Leader has said, the Islamic Republic is ready for engagement … but this engagement must be indirect, dignified, and accompanied by clear guarantees, because we still do not trust the other side,” according to a press release from the president’s office.