‘Next attacks even more brutal…make a deal, before it’s too late’: Trump’s stark warning to Iran
Washington: Former US President Donald Trump issued a stark warning to Iran on Friday, calling on the country to "make a deal" or face further “death and destruction” following Israel’s devastating airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.
His comments on his Truth Social platform came after Israel pounded Iran in a series of air raids on Friday, striking 100 targets.
The operation killed senior figures -- among them the armed forces chief and top nuclear scientists -- and Iran has called Israel's wave of strikes a "declaration of war."
On Friday morning, Trump said, "I gave Iran chance after chance to make a deal." He added that Israel -- which Trump has aligned Washington to since his return to the White House -- has a lot of weapons thanks to the United States and "they know how to use it."
"There has already been great death and destruction, but there is still time to make this slaughter, with the next already planned attacks being even more brutal, come to an end," Trump said on his Truth Social platform.
"Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left... JUST DO IT, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE," he added.
Speaking to Fox News, Trump revealed he was informed of the strikes beforehand but stressed that the United States had not participated in the operation. He said the U.S. remains prepared to defend itself and Israel if Iran retaliates, echoing statements by Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Rubio said, “The United States was not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region...Let me be clear: Iran should not target US interests or personnel.”
Trump is set to attend a National Security Council meeting to discuss the ongoing situation.
What is the “deal” Trump is referring to?
The "deal" Trump referenced is widely understood to be a return to diplomatic negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program. During his first term, Trump withdrew the US from the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), a multilateral agreement under which Iran agreed to limit its nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief.
Since then, efforts to restart talks have stalled amid worsening tensions. Trump’s recent comments suggest he is urging Tehran to re-engage with a new version of such a deal, likely under terms stricter than the original JCPOA, to avoid further military escalation and economic collapse.
Trump told Fox News, “We are hoping to get back to the negotiating table,” but also reinforced his long-standing position, “Tehran cannot have a nuclear bomb.”
With AFP inputs