President Donald Trump has said his patience with Iran has “run out” and he is considering joining Israeli air strikes against the country. Speaking Wednesday from the South Lawn of the White House, Trump claimed that Iran had reached out to initiate negotiations amid intensifying conflict in the region.
“They’ve suggested coming to the White House,” Trump told reporters. “That’s courageous, but maybe too late.” He added that Iran expressed willingness to discuss its nuclear program in hopes of halting Israel’s ongoing air assault.
However, Trump made it clear that military action remains on the table: “I may do it, I may not do it. Nobody knows what I’m going to do. But Iran’s in a lot of trouble, and they want to talk.”
The U.S. president, who has long sought a tougher deal to replace the 2015 nuclear agreement he pulled out of during his first term, indicated a sharp shift in tone since Israeli forces began striking Iran six days ago. Now, Trump appears to be aligning more closely with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, expressing support for Israel’s offensive.
Asked what he told Netanyahu during a recent phone call, Trump replied: “Keep going. I speak to him every day. He’s a good man, doing a lot.”
“Unconditional Surrender”
On Tuesday, Trump took to social media with a series of aggressive posts, labeling Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei an “easy target” and demanding Iran’s “UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!”
Pressed for clarification on Wednesday, Trump said: “It’s very simple — unconditional surrender. That means I’ve had it. We go and blow up all the nuclear stuff.”
Iranian state media quickly denied Trump’s claims of outreach. “No Iranian official has ever asked to grovel at the gates of the White House,” Iran’s mission to the United Nations said on X (formerly Twitter). “The only thing more despicable than his lies is his cowardly threat to ‘take out’ Iran’s Supreme Leader.”
Meanwhile, Khamenei reiterated Iran’s refusal to back down, warning of “irreparable damage” if the U.S. intervenes.
Rebuffing Mediation Offers
Trump also dismissed an offer from Russian President Vladimir Putin to mediate between Israel and Iran. “I told him: ‘Do me a favor. Mediate your own [conflict]. Let’s solve Russia’s war in Ukraine first,’” Trump said.
As tensions escalate, the global community watches closely, concerned that direct U.S. involvement in the conflict could trigger a wider regional war.
