WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump stated on Wednesday that Israel would take on the role of the primary instigator in a prospective military action against Iran if Tehran persists with its nuclear weapons program.
Trump’s remarks came prior to the upcoming discussions scheduled for this weekend involving U.S. and Iranian officials in Oman, a Middle Eastern sultanate. Trump had mentioned earlier in the week that the talks would be held “directly,” whereas Iran has characterized the engagement as involving “indirect” talks with the U.S.
“If it comes to military action, we will be prepared for that,” Trump declared. “Israel will play a significant role in that scenario. They will be at the forefront. However, no one directs us, we act according to our own strategies.”
The United States is increasingly concerned as Tehran is closer than ever to a workable weapon. But Trump said on Wednesday that he doesn’t have a definitive timeline for the talks to come to a resolution.
“When you start talks, you know, if they’re going along well or not,” Trump said. “And I would say the conclusion would be what I think they’re not going along well. So that’s just a feeling.”
The U.S. and other world powers in 2015 reached a long-term, comprehensive nuclear agreement that limited Tehran’s enrichment of uranium in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions. But Trump unilaterally withdrew the U.S. from the nuclear agreement in 2018, calling it the “worst deal ever.”
Iran and the U.S., under President Joe Biden, held indirect negotiations in Vienna in 2021 aimed at restoring the nuclear deal. But those talks, and others between Tehran and European nations, failed to reach any agreement.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Treasury Department earlier on Wednesday issued new sanctions targeting Iran’s nuclear program.
Five entities and one person based in Iran are cited in the new sanctions for their support of Iran’s nuclear program. The designated groups include the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran and subordinates Iran Centrifuge Technology Company, Thorium Power Company, Pars Reactors Construction and Development Company and Azarab Industries Co.
“I want Iran to be great,” Trump said Wednesday. “The only thing that they can’t have is a nuclear weapon. They understand that.”
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian again pledged Wednesday that his nation is “not after a nuclear bomb” and even dangled the prospect of direct American investment in the Islamic Republic if the countries can reach a deal.
The comments by the reformist leader represent a departure from Iran’s stance after its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, in which Tehran sought to buy American airplanes but in effect barred U.S. companies from coming into the country.
“His excellency has no opposition to investment by American investors in Iran,” Pezeshkian said in a speech in Tehran, referring to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. “American investors: Come and invest.”
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